Madonna del Sasso, Switzerland

Madonna del Sasso is an important pilgrimage church in Ticino. The Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso is in Orselina above the city of Locarno and is the most famous pilgrimage church of the Italian-speaking Switzerland. The sanctuary is famous because of its significant features and its exposed position high above Locarno and Lake Maggiore.

History

The creation of Madonna del Sasso goes back to a Marian apparition, according to a written around 1625 tradition of Franciscan brother Bartolomeo Patti had from Ivrea from the Franciscan monastery in Locarno in the night from 14th to August 15th, 1480 ( Assumption).

Between 1485 and 1487 the first chapel was built on the hill. Two other chapels in the vicinity and a small house which has been extended to the Casa del padre later followed. At the foot of the mountain was still during the lifetime of Bartolomeo church of the Annunciation ( Annunciata ), in the later ( 1511-1513 ), his remains were taken.

From the Church of the Annunciation, the Via Crucis leads with twelve Stations of the Cross, depicting scenes of the Passion of Christ, up to the Madonna del Sasso.

The present facade in neo-Renaissance style dates from the late 19th century to designs by the architect Alessandro Ghezzi from Lamone. With these changes in 1890, the church has lost its old, popular, Franciscan simplicity that she had saved until then.

Since 1918 she is a minor basilica.

In the years 1977-1984 there was a major renovation of the 500th anniversary of the Madonna del Sasso by Luigi Snozzi. 2011/2012, the interior and the facade was restored again and renovated.

From Locarno Funicular Funicular Locarno Madonna del Sasso leads up to the sanctuary. In addition to the valley and the mountain station, there are two more stops (formerly yet at the Grand Hotel).

Madonna del Sasso with Via Crucis (1890-1900)

Equipment

The organ was built in 1961 by the organ builders Balbiani, Vegezzi & Bossi. The instrument is split into two housing; on the Epistle to the positive and the gaming facility is located; on the Gospel side, Swell and pedal. The organ has 45 registers on three manuals and pedal. The play and Registertrakturen are electric.