Se cercate un percorso poco impegnativo da effettuare anche nel periodo invernale e che si snoda sulle colline tra Mondovì e Vicoforte la Via delle Cappelle può essere una buona scelta.
La camminata, che si svolge interamente su fondo asfaltato, parte da Mondovì Piazza ed arriva, dopo circa 4 km, fino al bel Santuario di Vicoforte.
Si tratta di un'antica Via Sacra utilizzata dai pellegrini in processione e preghiera verso il pilone raffigurante la Madonna con il Bambino posto nel luogo ove ora sorge il Santuario.
Un tempo denominata "Via dei misteri del Santo Rosario", la Via delle Cappelle risale al 1682 quando, in occasione della prima incoronazione della Madonna di Vico, si pensò di costruire quattordici cappelle devozionali dedicate ai misteri del Rosario che dovevano unire Mondovì al Santuario.
Il progetto, finanziato da alcune famiglie benestanti locali, che vide la realizzazione di sole quattro cappelle in località Fiammenga, venne ben presto interrotto. Di queste solo una non è andata distrutta.
Ripreso nella seconda metà del 1800 dal vescovo di Mondovì Monsignor Ghilardi, vide la costruzione di altri quattro edifici a cui se ne aggiunse un quinto per volontà della popolazione.
Purtroppo a causa di problemi economici non fu più possibile completare l'intera opera.
Ad oggi la Via delle Cappelle conta cinque cappelle a cui si va aggiungere il Santuario della Natività di Maria.
In occasione del Giubileo del 2000 il percorso è stato recuperato rendendolo di nuovo fruibile per tranquille passeggiate con vista panoramica sulle campagne intorno a Mondovì. L'itinerio è percorribile in completa sicurazza grazie alla presenza di un comdo marciapiede.
Per iniziare il cammino salite a Mondovì Piazza lasciando l'auto nei pressi di Piazza d'Armi e da qui iniziate a percorrere la Via Santa Croce che va verso Vicoforte. Alla prima biforcazione troverete la Prima Cappella, dedicata all'Annunciazione.
Imboccate la Via delle Cappelle che passa alla destra dell'edificio religioso ed incominciate a percorrere la discesa fino al suo termine dove, nella curva, incontrerete la Seconda Cappella
A questo punto abbandonate la strada provinciale e, passando di fianco all'edificio, imboccate il tracciato che porta ad un alta scalinata alla sommamità della quale è situata la Terza Cappella che rappresenta l'Orazione di Gesù nell'orto.
Una volta raggiunta, riprentete la via principale che in questo punto attraversa spazi aperti di campagna ed in breve vi ritroverete giunti alla Quarta Cappella dedicata alla Flagellazione.
Imboccando a sinistra Via Bovolo vedrete già il profilo della Quinta Cappella, quella del Calvario, fatta edificare dagli abitanti e che congloba un preesistente pilone votivo.
Proseguendo la via vi trovete a Fiammenga, frazione di Vicoforte. Al termine di Via Bovolo, imboccate a destra Via Trombetta e arrivati alla Cappella dello Spirito Santo prendete a sinistra per Via Vecchia. Man mano che scendere incomincere a vedere l'imponenete sagoma del Santuario della Natività di Maria, ultima meta dell'itinerario.
Walking on the Chapels Path in Vicoforte
If you are looking for an undemanding path to be carried out also in winter and which winds over the hills between Mondovì and Vifoforte, the Chapels Path can be a good choice.
The walk, which takes place entirely on asphalted ground, starts from Mondovì Piazza and arrives, after about 4 km, up to the beautiful Sanctuary of Vicoforte.
It is an ancient Via Sacra used by pilgrims in procession and prayer towards the pylon depicting the Madonna and Child placed where now stands the Sanctuary.
Once called "Way of the mysteries of the Holy Rosary", the Chapels Path was thought in 1682, during the first coronation of the Madonna of Vico. The idea was to build fourteen devotional chapels dedicated to the mysteries of the Rosary in order to join Mondovì to the Sanctuary.
The project, financed by some wealthy local families, started with the construction of four chapels in Fiammenga hamlet, but was soon stopped. Only one of these first buildings still remains.
In the second half of the 1800s thanks to the bishop of Mondovì Monsignor Ghilardi the project was taken back and saw the construction of four other buildings and an extra one that was added by the will of the population.
Unfortunately due to economic problems it was no longer possible to complete the entire work.
To date, the Chapels Path has five chapels and the Sanctuary of the Nativity of Mary.
On the occasion of the Jubilee of 2000 the route was recovered making it usable again for peaceful walks with panoramic views over the countryside around Mondovì. The route can be traveled in complete safety thanks to the presence of a comfortable sidewalk.
To start the journey, go up to Mondovì Piazza and leave your car near Piazza d'Armi and from here start to walk along Via Santa Croce which goes towards Vicoforte. At the first junction you will find the First Chapel, dedicated to the Annunciation.
Take the Via delle Cappelle passing to the right of the religious building and begin to descend to its end where, in the curve, you will meet the Second Chapel, the one related to the presentation of Jesus in the Temple
At this point leave the provincial road and, passing next the building, take the path that leads to a high staircase at the top of which is located the Third Chapel which represents the Oration of Jesus in the vegetable garden.
Once you reach it, take the main road again. In this point it crosses open countryside spaces and soon arrives at the Fourth Chapel dedicated to the Flagellation.
Turning left into Via Bovolo you will already see the profile of the Fifth Chapel, that is related about the Calvary and was built by the inhabitants including an existing votive pylon.
Following the road you meet Fiammenga, an hamlet of Vicoforte. At the end of Via Bovolo, take on the right Via Trombetta and when you reach the Spirito Santo Chapel take left on Via Vecchia. As you descend you begin to see the impressive silhouette of the Sanctuary of the Nativity of Mary, the last destination of the itinerary.
If you are looking for an undemanding path to be carried out also in winter and which winds over the hills between Mondovì and Vifoforte, the Chapels Path can be a good choice.
The walk, which takes place entirely on asphalted ground, starts from Mondovì Piazza and arrives, after about 4 km, up to the beautiful Sanctuary of Vicoforte.
It is an ancient Via Sacra used by pilgrims in procession and prayer towards the pylon depicting the Madonna and Child placed where now stands the Sanctuary.
Once called "Way of the mysteries of the Holy Rosary", the Chapels Path was thought in 1682, during the first coronation of the Madonna of Vico. The idea was to build fourteen devotional chapels dedicated to the mysteries of the Rosary in order to join Mondovì to the Sanctuary.
The project, financed by some wealthy local families, started with the construction of four chapels in Fiammenga hamlet, but was soon stopped. Only one of these first buildings still remains.
In the second half of the 1800s thanks to the bishop of Mondovì Monsignor Ghilardi the project was taken back and saw the construction of four other buildings and an extra one that was added by the will of the population.
Unfortunately due to economic problems it was no longer possible to complete the entire work.
To date, the Chapels Path has five chapels and the Sanctuary of the Nativity of Mary.
On the occasion of the Jubilee of 2000 the route was recovered making it usable again for peaceful walks with panoramic views over the countryside around Mondovì. The route can be traveled in complete safety thanks to the presence of a comfortable sidewalk.
To start the journey, go up to Mondovì Piazza and leave your car near Piazza d'Armi and from here start to walk along Via Santa Croce which goes towards Vicoforte. At the first junction you will find the First Chapel, dedicated to the Annunciation.
Take the Via delle Cappelle passing to the right of the religious building and begin to descend to its end where, in the curve, you will meet the Second Chapel, the one related to the presentation of Jesus in the Temple
At this point leave the provincial road and, passing next the building, take the path that leads to a high staircase at the top of which is located the Third Chapel which represents the Oration of Jesus in the vegetable garden.
Once you reach it, take the main road again. In this point it crosses open countryside spaces and soon arrives at the Fourth Chapel dedicated to the Flagellation.
Turning left into Via Bovolo you will already see the profile of the Fifth Chapel, that is related about the Calvary and was built by the inhabitants including an existing votive pylon.
Following the road you meet Fiammenga, an hamlet of Vicoforte. At the end of Via Bovolo, take on the right Via Trombetta and when you reach the Spirito Santo Chapel take left on Via Vecchia. As you descend you begin to see the impressive silhouette of the Sanctuary of the Nativity of Mary, the last destination of the itinerary.
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