The material and landscape adventure> The treasures of the caves
Day 2: The surroundings of Mondovi
alt_route Stage 1 / Regina Montis Regalis Sanctuary - Magnificat
The sanctuary was built at the end of the 16th century at the request of the people and thanks to the intervention of Duke Charles-Emmanuel I, who wanted to use it as a mausoleum for the house of Savoy.
The construction took more than 3 centuries because its architect, Ascanio Vitozzi, died before he could complete the work. In 1730, Francesco Gallo crowned the building with an immense elliptical dome (the largest in the world, with 6 square meters of frescoes).
You can climb to the top of the dome and take an unusual stroll along the balcony all around the dome, both outside and inside.
Website : https://www.santuariodivicoforte.it/
Hours: 9 a.m. to 18 p.m.
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Regina Montis Regalis Sanctuary
Trade and urban planning are developing. Faced with the crowds, the Bishop of Mondovi encouraged the construction of a large temple of faith to welcome the faithful.
The architect Vitozzi imagines its elliptical shape and is appointed project manager. Construction is slowed down by serious static problems due to the inappropriate choice of site. Cultivable clay layers threaten the site which remains abandoned for a long time.
The architect Gallo, originally from Mondovi, participated for more than 30 years in the completion of the sanctuary. He designed a circular wall lit by large windows and surmounted by a dome and the famous lantern, which produced an astonishing light!
During the 19th century, a series of interventions structured the main facade, the roof of the dome, and adapted the bell towers. Further maintenance work in the early 1980s rehabilitated the soil and foundations to improve water drainage.