Santuario dei Piloni: A Sanctuary of Faith and Art

The Santuario dei Piloni, or Sanctuary of the Pillars, is a captivating destination located in the Roero area near Montà d'Alba. This 'small sacred mountain' in the Piedmont region comprises a Romanesque church, the Grotta dell'Agonia (Grotto of Agony), thirteen chapels dedicated to the Stations of the Cross, and the Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre. The site's history stretches back to Roman times when the area, known as Valdiana (Valley of Diana), was dedicated to the goddess of hunting. A Christian place of worship was established around the year 1000, with a chapel dedicated to the apostles James and Philip. The Romanesque church, which was expanded in the 13th century, still has remnants of its medieval construction, including two Roman heads high on the brick facade. The church was restored and elevated in 1661. The thirteen chapels, or 'piloni,' represent the Stations of the Cross. Constructed in 1775, they were later replaced in 1887 with hexagonal chapels containing polychrome plaster statues that illustrate the Passion of Christ. The path leads to the Holy Sepulchre, which houses a 17th-century sculpture depicting the Lamentation of Christ. The site offers panoramic views from its hilltop location, surrounded by woods and vineyards. The Santuario dei Piloni is also located on the Sentiero Religioso, a 6km nature trail that starts in the historic center of Montà.