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Season: all year
Recommended season: early April to early November
Max. altitude: 696 m (2283 ft)What is the Madonna del Sasso? 
The Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso is one of the most famous religious places in the canton of Ticino. It's located on the "Sacro Monte" or "sacred hill" at 696 m altitude, above the town of Locarno.
The site includes the Madonna del Sasso Church and a museum at the top of the hill. It offers grand views over the Lake Maggiore area. A bit further down, you'll find the Church of the Annunciation. The scenic "Via Crucis" footpath along charming small chapels connects both places.
The sanctuary can be reached by a 4-minute funicular ride from downtown Locarno, or by walking up over the "Via Crucis".
➤ Madonna del Sasso prices and tickets
Costs of a visit to the sanctuary
Prices for a trip to Madonna del Sasso are as follows:
- Entrance to the sanctuary is free. A donation is appreciated.
- Access to the museum is free.
- A return funicular ticket between Locarno and the sanctuary costs CHF 8. The Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Travel Pass Flex get you a 25% discount, the Ticino Ticket gets you 20% off. Other rail passes are not valid.
Where to buy your tickets
If you need funicular tickets, you can buy them at the funicular valley station in Locarno.
How to reach the church: directions and map
You'll reach the Madonna del Sasso by funicular from Locarno, by bus, or via a scenic walking path. I advise walking up and taking the funicular down if possible.
The main options are indicated on the map below.
How to reach Locarno
Locarno is best reached by train. The train station is very close to the base of the sacred mountain.
Option 1: on foot
The prettiest route up to Madonna del Sasso is without doubt on foot. You can take the funicular back down, or walk again. The 1.4-km walk from the train station to the church takes about 45 minutes. It's not difficult, but moderately steep. You will ascend about 180 m.
See the map on this page for route details. Here's a step-by-step description:
- From the train station, go left into the Via della Stazione.
- Turn right into the Via alla Ramogna, then turn right into the Via delle Monache up the hill.
- At the end of the road, turn left into the Via Cappuccini, then turn right into the Via al Sasso after 50 m.
- Keep walking up the mountain until you reach the first church. This is where the Via Crucis (Latin for "Path of the Cross") begins.
- Keep walking until the path splits. I recommend the left trail, which passes various little chapels on which the Passion of Jesus is depicted. The right path is wonderful too, but there are no chapels there. Both options eventually lead to the Madonna del Sasso church.
Option 2: by funicular
From the Locarno train station, go left into the Via della Stazione. After 150 m you'll see the funicular station on your right, after crossing the canal. Take the funicular up to Orselina Madonne del Sasso. The ride takes 4 minutes. You can also proceed to the top station Orselina Funicolare, and walk a bit down from there.
Option 3: by bus
Catch a bus from the train station of Locarno. After 10 to 15 minutes, get out at the stop "Orselina, Stazione Funivia". From there, it's a short walk down to the church site.
Arrival by car and parking
Parking options near the Madonna del Sasso in Orselina above Locarno are limited. You'd best park in Locarno if you come by car. Then get to the church as explained above.
Opening dates and hours, timetable info
Opening dates and hours
The funicular operates daily.
The Madonna del Sasso sanctuary is accessible year-round as well, from 07:00 to 18:30.
Opening days and hours of the museum are limited. Study the options in advance if you'd like to visit it.
Planning your journey with the Swiss timetable
If you're searching for connections to the sanctuary in the Swiss timetable, use these names:
- "Locarno" for the Locarno train station;
- "Locarno Funicolare" for the funicular valley station;
- "Orselina Madonna del Sasso" for the funicular stop close to the sanctuary;
- "Orselina Funicolare" for the funicular top station which is slightly above the church site
- "Orselina, Stazione Funivia" for the bus stop close to the church
It you take a bus from the Locarno rail station, it may depart from:
- either "Locarno, Stazione": the bus stop closest to the train station tracks;
- or "Locarno, Piazza Stazione": the bus stop just outside of the train station directly on the Via Stazione.
"Orselina Madonna del Sasso": a stop on request
"Orselina Madonna del Sasso" is a so-called stop on request. Find out how that works here.
Best months to visit the church
I feel that early April to early November is the best season for a trip to Madonna del Sasso. That's when vegetation around Locarno, the lake, and the hills is at its best.
There's no problem in visiting anywhere between November and March though. Nature may just look a bit dull by that time of the year. This mostly goes for the winter months December to February. Snow isn't likely in the Locarno area.
Weather tips and forecasts
You don't need particularly good weather for a trip to Madonna del Sasso. Clear skies are of course best for the views over Locarno and the lake once you're up. Sunrays can be very photogenic within the church, if they shine in through the adorned church windows and illuminate the elaborate decorations. Dry weather is preferable if you walk up or down.
But as most of the sanctuary is indoors, this can also be a perfect rainy day excursion, especially if you skip the walk and travel by funicular instead.
What to expect at the sacred site
This is what you can see and do at the sacred mountain:
- You can visit the historical pilgrimage church Madonna del Sasso, with lots of decorations and frescoes. The complex houses various works of art, including groups of statues in Catholic scenes. Study the schedule of holy masses in advance, either to attend or to avoid, if you just want to take a look inside the church.
- There’s a museum with free entrance, which is part of the monastery. You can learn about the Capuchin friars and the history of the convent here. There’s also a display of offered items (ex-votos) and paintings. Opening hours are limited.
- You’ll have good views over Locarno and Lake Maggiore from the church square.
More activities to fill the day
A visit to the Madonna del Sasso can take between 1 hour (a quick visit by funicular) to half a day (a longer exploration of the site plus a walk between the church and the Locarno town center). In both cases, your excursion can be combined with a visit further up the mountain to Cardada or Cimetta. Other options are my proposed city walk in Locarno or a boat tour on the lake.
History of Madonna del Sasso
According to the legend, the Virgin Mary appeared on the mountain in 1480. That was the reason to build the first small chapels in 1487. The Church of the Annunciation opened in 1502.
Eventually, the idea was that the mountain should be a sacred place to worship Mary. More chapels were built, and also the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso. Its church, built on a massive rock, is the most prominent building.
➤ Find tickets
Promotions
There are currently no promotions available.
- www.madonnadelsasso.org: Madonna del Sasso
Dates and times
- www.ticino.ch: Madonna del Sasso opening hours
- www.madonnadelsasso.org: museum opening hours
- www.madonnadelsasso.org: schedule of masses in the Madonna del Sasso church
Schedules
- www.funicolarelocarno.ch: timetable of the funicular to Madonna del Sasso and Orselina
Prices
- www.funicolarelocarno.ch: ticket prices of the funicular to Madonna del Sasso and Orselina
One day Ticino
Town walk Locarno
Cardada-Cimetta
Boat Lake Maggiore
