The Path of Saint-Charles (Cammino di San Carlo) is an historical, artistic and devotional route which follows the travels of saint
Charles Borromeo from
Arona, his native town, and
Viverone, where the path joins the
Via Francigena.
The 200 km may be divided in twelve stages for walkers and in four stages for bikers.
The birth of the path is due to a research made about saint Charles and his passages in northern
Piedmont and of the Biellese territory in particular. This research[1] allowed to trace the numerous transits of Borromeo through the valleys of
Biella. We also have proofs of his presence in this area thanks to the many consecration of altars and churches between 1610 and 1640, year of his canonization.
Saint Charles passed through the northern Piedmont many times throughout his pilgrimages and his travels. Many places have trace of his transit and we also have information thanks to his letters.
In 1571, 1578 and 1584, he visited the
Sacro Monte di Varallo in order to check its construction. He also stopped there during his many travels between
Milan and
Turin in order to visit the
Shroud of Turin.
In September 1584, Saint Charles was in the Biellese territory in order to visit a relative of his, the marquis Besso Ferrero Fieschi of
Masserano, who was sick. After leaving Masserano, Charles went to
Vercelli and afterwards to Turin, to visit the Shroud. He went back to Biella on 10 October, when the marquis Besso died. The next day, the saint went to Masserano to minister the burial.
The day after he left for Varallo, where he arrived on 12 October. He stayed there until 29 October and, despite his
malaria, he left for
Switzerland to sign a document, and afterwards he went back to Milan, where he died on 3 November.
Orta -
Varallo. The stage walk through the Peregrinatio, the historica path between the two
Sacri Monti.
Varallo -
Guardabosone. The route passes through the Val
Sesia, where you can see two beautiful churches: Madonna di Loreto in Varallo and S. Giovanni al Monte in Quarona.
S. Giovanni d'Andorno - Santuario di Oropa. The way walks on a segment of the tracciolino, the road imagined by
Ermenegildo Zegna but never realized, which connects the Sanctuary of S. Giovanni with the
Sanctuary of Oropa, the most important sanctuary devoted to the
black Madonna in the
Alps.
Santuario d'Oropa - Sordevolo. We pass through the
Elvo valley, cross the Burcina park, and arrive in
Sordevolo, where, every five years, a popular
Passion play is staged.
Sordevolo - Santuario di Graglia. We encounter two sites of the
Ecomuseum of the Biellese (Trappa of Sordevolo and Bagneri village) and arrive at the
Sanctuary of Graglia.