FROM LECCO TO CALOLZIOCORTE ALONG THE ADDA

THE VALLEY OF THE CATHEDRALS

THE CATHEDRAL OF ALZANO LOMBARDO, A TREASURE TROVE OF SCULPTUREAlzano Lombardo stands at the entrance to the Seriana Valley.The San Martino’s Cathedral is decorated with baroque stucco work and paintings by Palma il Giovane, Piazzetta and Cignaroli. Next to the church stands a group of three sacristies, where carved and inlaid wood takes pride of place: the interiors, crafted by the Fantoni and Caniana workshops, are an example of rare skill. Sacred art from the Cathedral is on display in the Museum.

THE CATHEDRAL OF GANDINO, A TREASURE TROVE OF THE APPLIED ARTSGandino stands in a wide valley which still contains several examples of medieval and Renaissance architecture. The Assumption Cathedral has works by the Fantoni Workshop, Hillepront, Pitocchetto, Cantarini and Caniana. Next to it, there is the museum with sections on textile archaeology, sacred art and Nativity scenes. Numerous tapestries, vestments, fabrics, laces, statues, monstrances, furnishings, chalices and accessories would not be out of place in a cathedral, considering their importance and quantity.

THE CATHEDRAL OF CLUSONE, A TREASURE TROVE OF PAINTINGClusone is town with a long and noble artistic history. Its Cathedral can be considered almost as an art gallery for its precious canvases: Cifrondi, Ricci, Diziani, Carpinoni and Cignaroli are some of the artists whose works can be found in it, together with important sculptures. Next to it, there is the Oratorio dei Disciplini, with its façade decorated by frescos depicting the Dance of Death, a unique synthesis of the themes of Death in Europe. The Cathedral Museum completes the site with its collection as well as being a venue for temporary exhibitions.

This easy itinerary goes through the woods along paths on Monte Canto. Two fascinating Benedictine abbeys, surrounded by the silence of nature, can be found along the route.

MONASTERY OF PONTIDAAfter a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in 1076, a nobleman from Bergamo, Alberto da Prezzate decided to give his wealth to the Cluny Abbey to build a monastery and hospice for pilgrims in Pontida. Alberto became the prior of Pontida and then also founded the Monastery of Fontanella; he died in the odour of sanctity in 1095. Under the altar, two fragments of his sepulchre can be admired, an exquisite example of Romanesque sculpture. The church was rebuilt in gothic style in the early 14th century but the monastery was destroyed in 1373 by Bernabò Visconti. It was completely rebuilt in Renaissance style during the 16th century. In 1798, Napoleon closed it and the monks did not return until 1910, thanks to Bishop Radini Tedeschi, whose secretary was Don Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli.

SAINT EGIDIO ABBEYIt was founded in 1080 by Alberto da Prezzate and by the pious Teoperga, who is buried in the small courtyard next to the church. In 1575 the priory became part of the possessions of St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice. The abbey church is a fi ne example of the Romanesque architecture to be found in the area around Bergamo. The building with three naves culminates in three secondary apses with some decoration on the external walls, while inside there are traces of frescoes from the 15th and 16th centuries, although the identity of the fi gures depicted in them are uncertain.

SOTTO IL MONTE GIOVANNI XXIIIThe memory of St. John XXIII is preserved in his birthplace. You can start the itinerary from the House of the pilgrim; from there you can reach the house of his birth, then the Brusicco Church, Cà Maitino, the Parish Church, the Garden of Peace and complete the tour in the evocative Crypt. The Madonna delle Caneve Sanctuary is to be found nearby, nestling in the greenery.ALZANO

LOMBARDO 1

3

GANDINO2

CLUSONE

WHAT TO SEE:1) San Martino’s Cathedral – Alzano Lombardo2) Assumption Cathedral – Gandino3) Assumption Cathedral – Clusone

WHAT TO SEE:1) Monastery - Pontida2) Saint Egidio Abbey Fontanella di Sotto il Monte3) Birthplace of Pope John XXIII and other sites Sotto il Monte Giovanni XXIII

BRESCIA, THE PROVINCE OF POPE PAUL VI

TYPE OFITINERARY

KM

DURATION

DIFFICULTY OF THE ITINERARY

215

4,15 h

WHAT TO SEE:1) Via Crucis - Cerveno2) Saint Peter’s Monastery in Lamosa Provaglio d’Iseo3) Olivetana Abbey - Rodengo Saiano4) Birthplace of Pope Paul VI - Concesio5) Paul VI’s Collection - Concesio6) Diocesan Museum -Brescia7) Old and New Cathedral - Brescia8) Santa Giulia Museum, San Salvatore Church Brescia9) Saint Peter Church in Mavino - Sirmione10) Benedictine Abbey of Maguzzano - Lonato11) Parish Church of Sant’Andrea Toscolano Maderno12) Sanctuary of Montecastello - Tignale13) Saint Peter Church in Oliveto Limone sul Garda

This itinerary, ideally taking two days, touches some of the most interesting places in the province of Brescia from the religious point of view. The Via Crucis of Cerveno in Valle Camonica is a succession of “tableaux vivants” with a rare dramatic force, 198 life-size wood and stucco polychromatic statues.

In Franciacorta, Saint Peter’s monastery, in Provaglio d’Iseo, dates back to the 11th century.

The Olivetana abbey of Rodengo Saiano in Franciacorta, founded by the Cluny monks before 1050, is certainly one of the most majestic and richest religious sites in northern Italy, from the artistic point of view.

The next stopping place is Concesio, the birthplace of Giovanni Battista Montini (1897-1978), who became Pope Paul VI in 1963. It is possible to visit the Pope’s home which houses the collection of seven thousand paintings, drawings, prints, medals and sculptures of the 20th century that belonged to him.

In Brescia, the Diocesan Museum and the many churches, including in particular the New Cathedral and the Old Cathedral (Rotonda) are well worth visiting. The nearby Santa Giulia Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, housed in

a former monastic complex, comprises the San Salvatore Church, one of the most important examples of religious architecture from the early Middle Ages still standing today.

From Brescia the itinerary leads to Lake Garda, on the traces of the Romanesque style, starting in Sirmione, one of the symbolic places of the lake, where there is the Saint Peter Church in Mavino, which was built in the Middle Ages and still has interesting frescoes in its interior.

Near Desenzano, an important harbour on the lake in Roman times, the Benedictine Abbey of Maguzzano in Lonato, deserves a visit. It was built near a 5th century Roman road.

In Toscolano Maderno there is the Parish Church of Sant’Andrea, one of the most interesting examples of the 12th century Brescian Romanesque style.

The itinerary passes through Tignale to visit the Sanctuary of Montecastello; its privileged position offers visitors unique and spectacular panoramic views, taking in the high peaks of Monte Baldo and extending as far as the peninsula of Sirmione.

Lastly, the Saint Peter Church in Oliveto, Limone, is one of the oldest Romanesque churches in this area.

The Saint Nicolò Cathedral stands on the lake shore, is easy to reach on foot from the station of Lecco and is only a few steps away from the Palazzo delle Paure. It is dedicated to the patron saint of sailors and was already standing in 1252. Today it has a neo-classic structure due to its enlargement by the architect Giuseppe Bovara.

In the heart of the land where the novel The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni was set, in the courtyard of honour surrounded by arcades at the Villa Manzoni, it is possible to admire the Assumption Chapel in a typically neo-classical style, with a fi ne altar piece by G. Preda. Going down towards the Adda River, in Pescarenico there is the Saints Materno and Lucia Church, the old church of the Convent of the Capuchin Friars and of Father Cristoforo, the character narrated by Manzoni.

In Chiuso, the St John the Baptist Church, known as the “Blessed Serafi no Church”, holds the remains of Don Serafi no Morazzone, parish priest of the church at the end of the 18th century, beatifi ed in 2011, hence the name of the church.

In Olginate, there is the old medieval convent with the adjoining 15th century Santa Maria della Vite Church. Going on to Calolziocorte, there is the Sanctuary and the Convent of Santa Maria del Lavello, one of the most important religious monuments in the Valley of San Martino.In addition to the old medieval structure of the building, the complex has also recently revealed the remains of what was probably the ancient miraculous font which drew numerous pilgrims to the convent for a long time.

WHAT TO SEE:1) Palazzo delle Paure - Lecco2) Saint Nicolò Cathedral - Lecco3) Saints Materno and Lucia Church - Lecco4) St. John the Baptist Church - Lecco5) Santa Marta Church - Lecco6) Chapel of the Madonna - Lecco

1) Santa Maria del Lavello Monastery - Calolziocorte2) Santa Maria della Vite Ex Convent - Olginate3) Sanctuary of San Girolamo Emiliani - Vercurago4) Santa Margherita Church (Parish Church of Monte Marenzo) - Torre de’ Busi5) San Lorenzo Vecchio Church – Calolziocorte

LOMBARDY, A LAND OF FAITH

Province of Bergamo1 Province of Bergamo21 PONTIDA

SOTTO IL MONTEGIOVANNI XXIII 3

2 FONTANELLA

THE PATH OF SILENCE Province of Bergamo3

ALMENNO SANBARTOLOMEO

1

ALMENNO SANSALVATORE

2

SANT’OMOBONO TERME

3

VALSECCA

4

Province of Brescia41 CERVENO

2 PROVAGLIOD’ISEO

RODENGOSAIANO 3

4 CONCESIO

9 SIRMIONE

7 BRESCIA

TOSCOLANOMADERNO 11

TIGNALE 12

LIMONE SULGARDA 13

1

WHAT TO SEE:1) San Tomè Church - Almenno San Bartolomeo2) Madonna del Castello Sanctuary Almenno San Salvatore3) Saint George Church - Almenno San Salvatore4) Saint Nicholas Church - Almenno San Salvatore5) Cornabusa Sanctuary - Sant’Omobono Terme6) Holy Crucifi x – Valsecca

ON THE PATH OF ST. JOHN XXIII

This is an itinerary of great cultural interest along the paths of the faith. It also reveals an area rich in history and traditions in a valley with lush green meadows and uncontaminated woods. The journey starts in the heart of Lemine, the ancient name of this area inhabited by Romans and Longobards which contains some real gems: the Madonna del Castello Sanctuary, a monumental complex of three churches from different periods (the crypt of the 7th-8th centuries, the late 9th century San Salvatore Church and the 16th century sanctuary); the picturesque Romanesque Rotonda of San Tomè with its unmistakable silhouette in the centre of an area of great environmental interest; Saint George, an unexpected treasure trove of frescoes of rare beauty, the 16th century church

of Santa Maria della Consolazione, better known as Saint Nicholas and, as a fi nal surprise, the small Saint Catherine Convent Church. The walk continues to the Cornabusa Sanctuary, a natural grotto set in the mountain overhanging the Imagna Valley. The deeply-rooted story of faith linked to this sanctuary, which still draws large numbers of pilgrims today, started around 1400, during the violent struggles between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines. You can still feel its original function as a place of refuge in the enchanting peacefulness characterizing this corner imbued with memories. Going up towards Valsecca, you come to a small church which houses a wooden Crucifi x, the sign of strong and deeply-rooted popular devotion.

BERGAMO

LECCO

MONZA BRIANZA

MILAN

PAVIA

BRESCIA

1

2

3

4

Province of Lecco5

5 6

2

3

4

5

2 OLGINATE

4TORRE DE BUSI

3

VERCURAGO

5

1

CALOLZIOCORTE

8 97

10

TYPE OFITINERARY

ALTITUDE

KM

DURATION

DIFFICULTY OF THE ITINERARY

Alzano 304 mGandino 552 mClusone 648 m

4 h1 h

37,5

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TYPE OFITINERARY

ALTITUDE

KM

DURATION

DIFFICULTY OF THE ITINERARY

Pontida 320 mFontanella 450 mSotto il Monte Giovanni XXIII 291 m

9

2 h

visitlombardy.itThe Garden of PeaceSaint John XXIII

Saint Egidio Abbey

Monastery of Pontida

TYPE OFITINERARY

ALTITUDE

KM

DURATION

DIFFICULTY OF THE ITINERARY

Almenno 274 mSant’Omobono Terme: 450 mValsecca: 640 m

5 h 0,35 h

16 21

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10LONATO

5

LOMBARDY

6 8

5

Assumption Cathedral Gandino

Assumption Cathedral Clusone

6

Crucifi x of Valsecca

Cornabusa Sanctuary

San Tomè Church

Santa Maria del Lavello Monastery

For more detailed information, please visit the site: www.viedellafede.lecco.it

LECCO

6

Olivetana Abbey Paul VI’s Collection Via Crucis Saint Peter’s Monastery in Lamosa

Sanctuary of Montecastello New and Old Cathedral

GB

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.turismo.regione.lombardia.it

LOMBARDY

Please visit the site: www.visitlombardy.it and click on “Religious Tours”. There you will fi nd more detailed information on all the itineraries on this map.

ITINERARIES

TurismoBG_Mappa-sentieri religiosi-ENG.indd 1 21/11/14 12:55

THE RELIGIOUS ITINERARY OF A FORMER CAPITAL: MONZA

A POPE FROM BRIANZA: PIUS XI AND THE CITY OF HIS BIRTH

Visitors on this itinerary will be able to discover the places of historical and religious importance in the town of Desio. On foot, you will get to know the places of worship in one of the most dynamic towns in Brianza.

The itinerary covers interesting historical and artistic aspects of the town, which has many sites with evidence of the people’s faith, including the impressive and most significant Saints Siro and Materno Cathedral and the monument to Pope Pius XI. In the street of the same name there is the Birthplace of Pius XI, the Pope from Brianza; the house is the seat of an International Centre for Studies and Documentation and a Museum of Art and Mementoes which belonged or were given to the Pope; they include the radio made personally by Guglielmo Marconi which he gave to the Pope in 1931, the year Vatican Radio was founded.

Elected Pope in years tormented by ferocious dictatorships, Pius XI set himself the objective of keeping the presence of the Christian message alive in a political context characterized by state-fuelled anti-Christian foundations. In the period after the Second World War, his diplomatic talents came to the fore in relations with difficult legations. For a few months he was Archbishop of Milan before being elected the successor of Pope Benedict XV. Pius XI is remembered in particular for having signed the Concordat between the Holy See and the State of Italy on 11th February 1929, which has substantially and deeply characterized Italian civil society until the present day. It is important to underline that with this agreement Pius XI created the State of the Vatican City.

WHAT TO SEE:1) House of Pius XI - Desio2) Saints Siro and Materno Parish Church - Desio3) Monument to Pio XI - Desio4) St Pius X Parish Church - Desio5) St. John the Baptist Parish Church - Desio6) St. Peter and St. Paul Parish Church - Desio7) Sanctuary of Madonna Pellegrina- Desio8) Chapel of the Woods- Desio9) St. George the Martyr Parish Church - Desio10) Sanctuary of the Holy Crucifix - Desio11) International Centre for Studies and Documentation of Pius XI Desio

TOURIST OFFICESBERGAMO

TURISMO BERGAMOVia Aeroporto, 13 c/o arrivals area BGY airport - 24050 Orio al Serio (Bergamo)Tel. +39 035 320402 – Fax +39 035 4595751orio@turismo.bergamo.it - www.turismo.bergamo.it I.A.T. SOTTO IL MONTE GIOVANNI XXIIIVia IV novembre, 1 - 24039 Sotto il MonteTel. / Fax +39 035 790902info@iatsottoilmonte.it - www.iatsottoilmonte.it

BRESCIA

BRESCIATOURISM- Information Office Via Trieste 1 (Piazza Paolo VI) - 25121 BresciaTel. +39 030 2400357 - infopoint@bresciatourism.it- Information Office Piazzale Stazione, BresciaTel. +39 030 8378559 - infopointstazione@bresciatourism.it www.bresciatourism.it

LECCO

INFORMATION AND TOURIST OFFICE (I.A.T.)Piazza XX Settembre, 23 c/o Palazzo delle Paure - 23900 LeccoTel. +39 0341 295720 / 295721info.turismo@provincia.lecco.it - www.lakecomo.it

MONZA

ASSOCIAZIONE PRO MONZA - I.A.T. - c/o Palazzo Comunale - piazza Carducci 20900 MonzaTel. / Fax +39 039 323222 pro.monza@tiscali.it - iatmonza@gmail.com- c/o giardinetti della Stazione - via Caduti del Lavoro - 20900 MonzaTel. / Fax +39 039 362722 - infopointstazione@tiscali.it www.promonza.it

PAVIA

TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICE (I.A.T.)Palazzo del Broletto, Via del Comune, 18 (corner of Piazza della Vittoria)Tel. +39 0382 079943 - Fax +39 0382 597011turismo@provincia.pv.it - www.provincia.pv.it

PHOTO CREDITS: Bresciainvetrina, Collezione Paolo VI, Camera di Commercio di Lecco, Camera di Commercio di Monza Brianza, Damiano Frosio, Dimitri Salvi, Fabrizio Servalli, Giovanni Mereghetti, Luigi Savoldelli, Paolo Ardiani, Roberto Ricca, Turismo Bergamo, Umberto Barcella.

PLACES AND PATHS OF THE FAITH ALONG THE TRAVELLER’S WAY

Along the famous commercial route starting from Abbadia Lariana following the lake shore to Colico there are many places of worship as well as sites of natural and artistic beauty.

Starting from the church of San Martino, with its very ancient plan, which stands on a hill above the main road at the foot of Monte Borbino, it is possible to see the Santa Maria Nascente Church, a small building on the boundary between Abbadia and Mandello. Although dedicated in the 13th century to Santo Stefano, it was transformed into place of devotion to the Virgin Mary. Still in Mandello, Saint George Church, founded in the early Middle Ages, houses a series of frescoes with a unitary conception which can be dated back to between 1475 and 1485.

Following the lake, on foot along the Traveller’s Way or by car and train, in Varenna there is the ancient Convent and noble abode of Villa Monastero, again dedicated to Saint Mary

and which belonged to the Cistercian Order, as did the later Abbey of Piona or, still in Varenna, the St. John the Baptist Church. In Vezio, near the famous Castle which can be dated to the times of Queen Teodolinda, there is the San Antonio Abate Church, dating from medieval times, but rebuilt in 1570, which houses interesting frescoes.

On the itinerary, stopping in Corenno Plinio is highly recommended. This is a medieval hamlet where the Church of St. Thomas of Canterbury stands; it was of Romanesque origin and then renovated in gothic times, adopting this style in various parts of its architecture.

At the end of the itinerary there is the Abbey or Priory of Piona, one of the most picturesque examples of Lombard Romanesque architecture. Benedictines monks still live in this building, which has roots going back to 610 AD.

WHAT TO SEE:1) Saint Martino Church - Abbadia Lariana2) Saint Leonard Church, Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church - Dervio3) Complex of Santa Maria di Piona - Colico4) San Antonio di Vezio Church - Perledo5) St. Thomas of Canterbury Church Corenno Plinio - Dervio6) Sanctuary of Madonna della Pietà Bondo di Vestreno

WHAT TO SEE:1) Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie - Monza2) Sanctuary of Madonna della Misericordia Vedano al Lambro3) Sanctuary of Madonna del Borgo - Lissone4) Sanctuary of Madonna del Castano - Muggiò5) Sanctuary of Madonna Pellegrina - Desio6) Sanctuary of Madonna della Frasca - Binzago Cesano Maderno7) Sanctuary of Madonna di Santa Valeria - Seregno8) Sanctuary of Madonna Assunta Triuggio, hamlet of Rancate9) Sanctuary of Madonna del Rosario - Vimercate10) Sanctuary of the Beata Vergine del Lazzaretto - Ornago

TYPE OFITINERARY

KM

DURATION

DIFFICULTY OF THE ITINERARY

4,30 h14 h

ITINERARY OF MARIAN DEVOTION IN BRIANZA

2,3

0,30 h

TYPE OFITINERARY

KM

DURATION

DIFFICULTY OF THE ITINERARY

11,4

2,20 h

TYPE OFITINERARY

KM

DURATION

DIFFICULTY OF THE ITINERARY

The Via Francigena, mentioned for the first time already in 876 AD, takes the name of the “road that comes from the Kingdom of the Franks”, and it is known as the road that goes from Canterbury to Rome (St. Peter’s tomb).It is a system of roads described for the first time in 990 by Sigeric, Archbishop of Canterbury, on his return from Rome. He stopped in 79 places on his way back to Canterbury and 3 of them are in the province of Pavia: Santa Cristina e Bissone, Pavia and Tromello.For many centuries, the Via Francigena, taken by merchants, sovereigns, religious and pilgrims, represented the main link between Rome and Europe. The influences exercised by the Via Francigena on history, art and religious tradition of the areas it goes through are still strong and significant today.In 2004 it was proclaimed a “Major European Cultural Route” by the Council of Europe and in 2007 a “Reseau porteur” (carrier network). The pedestrian route of the “Via Francigena” (126.7 km.) goes through the following towns in the province of Pavia: Palestro, Robbio, Nicorvo, Mortara, Tromello, Garlasco, Gropello Cairoli, Carbonara al Ticino, San Martino Siccomario, Pavia, Valle Salimbene, Linarolo, Belgioioso, Corteolona, Santa Cristina e Bissone and Chignolo Po.Since 2007, the Province of Pavia has been part of the European Association of the Vie Francigene and a member of the Panel of Associations to develop and protect walking along the historical pilgrimage routes.

WHAT TO SEE:1) Palestro2) Robbio3) Mortara4) Garlasco5) Pavia6) Santa Cristina e Bissone7) Chignolo Po

THE STRETCH OF THE VIA FRANCIGENA IN THE PROVINCE OF PAVIA

Province of Lecco6

1 ABBADIALARIANA

3 COLICO

4 PERLEDO

2 DERVIO

6 VESTRENO

4

1

7

5

6

3

8

2

7Province of Monza8

8

6

5

4

2 1

10

9

Province of Monza9

9 VIMERCATE

CESANOMADERNO 6

10 ORNAGO

Province of Pavia10

1 PALESTRO

2 ROBBIO

MORTARA 3

GARLASCO 4 5 PAVIA

6 S. CRISTINAE BISSONE

CHIGNOLO PO 7

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Monza7

This itinerary of cultural and tourist interest reveals all the religious character of the tour through the streets in the centre of Monza in a short distance. The itinerary starts and ends at one of the Longobard masterpieces, the Cathedral, the lively religious heart of the city.

The history of Monza Cathedral is closely connected to the figure of Queen Teodolinda, a Bavarian princess who wed Agigulfo, King of the Longobards in her second marriage. In 1595 Teodolinda had an oraculum (queen’s chapel) built with a Greek cross plan where, on her death, although not finished, her earthly remains were buried. A new temple was built on the remains of the oraculum in the 13th century, which later gave rise to the Cathedral.

As early as the time of the communes, monastic orders flourished in Monza: they contributed to building churches and convents which can still be admired today for their architectural and artistic beauty. These orders had also strong economic and administrative power: one example is the order of the Umiliati which was founded in Monza around 1200. They were able to cover the whole wool market of the Milan area with their own production.

In the 13th century, followers of the Benedictine rule Ora et Labora built splendid churches such as Santa Maria del Carrobiolo and San Maurizio. The latter was almost completely rebuilt in the first half of the 18th century, while Santa Maria in Strada was built by the Franciscans and San Pietro Martire by the Dominicans.

The San Gerardo Church was built some two centuries later, then modernized and enlarged in the 18th and 19th centuries.

WHAT TO SEE:1) Cathedral - Monza2) Museum and treasure of the Cathedral Monza3) Santa Maria in Strada - Monza4) Santa Maria degli Angeli - Monza5) San Pietro Martire - Monza6) Santa Maria and Sant’Agata al Carrobbiolo Monza7) San Gerardo al Corpo - Monza8) San Maurizio - Monza

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3

11

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LISSONE 3 2 VEDANOAL LAMBRO

MONZA 1

MUGGIÒ 4

DESIO 5

SEREGNO 7

8 TRIUGGIO

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126,7

31,05 h

TYPE OFITINERARY

ALTITUDE

KM

DURATION

DIFFICULTY OF THE ITINERARY

Palestro 121 mRobbio 120 mMortara 108 mGarlasco 93 mPavia 77 mSanta Cristina e Bissone 75 mChignolo Po 68 m

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5

MANDELLO DEL LARIO

VARENNA

For more detailed information, please

visit the site: www.viedellafede.lecco.it

Complex of Santa Maria di Piona

St. Thomas of Canterbury Church

Santa Maria al Carrobiolo Santa Maria degli Angeli Cathedral

DESIO

Saints Siro and Materno Cathedral and the monument to Pius XI

Sanctuary of the Holy Crucifix

65

Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie

Robbio

This itinerary is part of “St. Augustine’s Path” in the area in the province of Monza and Brianza and it has been designed as a path of Marian inspiration. Nowhere as in Brianza has the veneration of Our Lady been expressed in such an impressive series of places of worship and more in general of popular evidence of faith, still visible in edicules, chapels and Marian caves.

St. Augustine’s Path is a path of Marian pilgrimage conceived to reach and connect fifty Marian sanctuaries in seven provinces of Lombardy: Bergamo, Como, Lecco, Milan, Monza and Brianza, Pavia and Varese. It is a circular itinerary, starting and ending in Monza. The Path as a closed circle offers symbolic and original elements for reflection which are already clear in the emblem identified for the Path, but above all in the Augustinian belt, which Our Lady gave to St. Augustine’s mother as a symbol of commitment and constancy in one’s ideals and existential vocation: the image of a life journey which moves and returns to the Holy Spirit. The belt is an Augustinian symbol of intimate adherence to one’s belief, conquered after a challenging and difficult path. Although the religious and spiritual value is explicit, the Path can also be enjoyed in a more secular fashion, as a leisure activity and an intelligent walking or cycling holiday: a real itinerary of sustainable tourism in an area that is still little known.

2,30 h

Visit the site www.camminodiagostino.it

Visit the site www.viefrancigene.org

Garlasco

TurismoBG_Mappa-sentieri religiosi-ENG.indd 2 21/11/14 12:56