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The Sacro Monte of Varallo near the town of Varallo is one of the nine Sacri Monti (Sacred Mounts) to be listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The idea for a Sacro Monte at Varallo came from Beato Bernadino Caini when he returned from the Holy Land in 1400 and wished to recreate a mini Palestine. He wanted to build a holy place for pilgrims to visit in Italy as travelling to Palestine was very difficult.

San Carlo Borromeo was also interested in this project and with his encouragement it was named the "New Jerusalem".

The complex of 50 buildings was constructed over the next 200 years.

Each of the 43 chapels depicts scenes from the lives of Jesus and Mary using a staggering 4000 frescoes and 400 statues/figurines.

The Basilica of the Sacro Monte was started in 1614 upon the wishes of the Bishop of Novara and was financed by a nobleman from Pavia and from pilgrims' donations. It was completed in 1713 and had a very simple facade which was added to between 1891 and 1896. The door is made of bronze.

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