Sulla collina alle spalle di Borgo San Dalmazzo sorge il Santuario di Monserrato dedicato al culto della Madonna Nera come nel più famoso Santuario di Oropa.
Le sue origini si attestano intorno alla seconda metà del XVII secolo e probabilmente sono da collegare ad un'epidemia di peste che colpì la zona spingendo gli abitanti a far erigere un luogo di culto dove c'era una semplice croce, già luogo di pellegrinaggi.
Inizialmente la struttura era molto semplice, a navata unica e con una sacrestia ed un dormitoio occupato da un eremita che viveva qua.
Sull’altare maggiore era custodita la statua della Madonna col Bambino Gesù sulle ginocchia, antica opera che ora è stata spostata nel Museo dell'Abbazia di Borgo San Dalmazzo.
Ampliata nel corso dei secoli, a metà del 1800 fu arricchita dal campanile.
La sua facciata presenta un affresco nella parte superiore ed un fresco porticato che si estende anche sul lato destro.
Dinanzi si apre una larga balconata che, nelle giornate limpide, offre una meravigliosa vista non solo su Borgo San Dalmazzo, ma anche sulla pianura verso Cuneo.
Il Santuario può essere raggiunto anche attraverso la Via Crucis che, partendo dal centro città, sale sulle pendici della collina incontrando tredici edicole rappresentanti, come nei Sacri Monti, le stazioni ove sostare in preghiera.
Monserrato in Borgo S.Dalmazzo
On the hill behind Borgo San Dalmazzo rises the Sanctuary of Monserrato dedicated to the cult of the Black Madonna as the most famous Sanctuary of Oropa.
Its origins are datated the second half of the seventeenth century and probably are connected to an epidemic of plague that struck the area that prompted the inhabitants to erect a church where there was a simple cross, formerly a place of pilgrimage.
Initially the structure was very simple, with a single nave and a sacristy and a dormitory occupied by a hermit who lived here.
On the main altar there was the statue of the Madonna with the Child Jesus on her knees, an ancient work that has now been moved to the Museum of Borgo San Dalmazzo Abbey.
Enlarged over the centuries, in the mid-1800s it was enriched by the bell tower.
Its facade has a fresco at the top and a cool porch that continue along the right side.
In front there's a large balcony which, on clear days, offers a wonderful view not only of Borgo San Dalmazzo, but also the plain around Cuneo.
The Sanctuary can be reached also through the Via Crucis that starts from the town center and meets thirteen representatives aedicules, like the most of the Sacri Mounti are the stations where stand to pray.
On the hill behind Borgo San Dalmazzo rises the Sanctuary of Monserrato dedicated to the cult of the Black Madonna as the most famous Sanctuary of Oropa.
Its origins are datated the second half of the seventeenth century and probably are connected to an epidemic of plague that struck the area that prompted the inhabitants to erect a church where there was a simple cross, formerly a place of pilgrimage.
Initially the structure was very simple, with a single nave and a sacristy and a dormitory occupied by a hermit who lived here.
On the main altar there was the statue of the Madonna with the Child Jesus on her knees, an ancient work that has now been moved to the Museum of Borgo San Dalmazzo Abbey.
Enlarged over the centuries, in the mid-1800s it was enriched by the bell tower.
Its facade has a fresco at the top and a cool porch that continue along the right side.
In front there's a large balcony which, on clear days, offers a wonderful view not only of Borgo San Dalmazzo, but also the plain around Cuneo.
The Sanctuary can be reached also through the Via Crucis that starts from the town center and meets thirteen representatives aedicules, like the most of the Sacri Mounti are the stations where stand to pray.
