La Sassella

An itinerary leading from Sondrio to La Sassella, then climbing towards the hamlet of Triasso before returning to the provincial capital.

The Sanctuary of the Madonna della Sassella stands on a rocky spur of the Rhaetian slope at the outskirts of Sondrio. It is immediately visible when arriving from Milan, before entering the city.

Surrounding it are terraced vineyards supported by dry-stone walls, producing Valtellina Superiore DOCG, Sassella sub-area.

Originally built in the 15th century and expanded towards the end of the 17th century with the addition of the portico, the sanctuary features numerous elements of interest: the lunette above the white marble portal with a high-relief Nativity attributed to the Rodari brothers; the frescoes depicting episodes from the life of Mary by the painter Andrea De Passeris (1511) in the apse basin.

The removal of the altarpiece depicting the Adoration of the Shepherds by Vincenzo De Barberis (1534), now preserved in the Church of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary in Sondrio (Largo Stella), revealed the central scene of the Annunciation frescoed by De Passeris.

On the right side of the apse, a small 16th-century polychrome stained-glass window depicts the Nativity — a rare example in Valtellina of the art of painted glass.

In the past, the inhabitants of Sondrio were accustomed to taking a Sunday spring walk to La Sassella, following the mule track that runs along the foot of the mountain and then winds its way through rocks and vineyards up to the sanctuary.