Giuly Bar In Trivero

16/06/2025: Lots of people. The majesty of the sanctuary is impressive. The outside is a bit let down. Located between the mountains, in the middle of nowhere, it gives a bit of the impression of a cathedral in the desert. I highly recommend visiting it and seeing the Black Madonna

13/06/2025: If you're in Piedmont, Italy, visit the Sanctuary of Oropa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nestled at an altitude of 1,200 meters, the sanctuary is located in the heart of the Biella mountains. According to popular tradition, Mount Oropa was considered sacred since pre-Christian times. It was Saint Eusebius who brought back from Jerusalem the wooden statue of the Virgin, which he hid among the rocks where the Chapel of the Rock now stands. He replaced pagan worship with that of the Virgin. It was he who evangelized Piedmont. In the 13th century, the sanctuary became a place of pilgrimage for the many faithful who came to pray to the Black Madonna. Numerous miracles are attributed to it, including the one in 1620 when Biella was spared the Black Death. On the first floor, don't miss the galleries filled with votive offerings left by the faithful for the graces they received. It's so moving. You still have to climb a good hundred steps to reach the Basilica. The place is magical, surrounded by beautiful mountains and the sound of the stream flowing through the forest. Numerous restaurants and a souvenir shop are available. A bus leaves from the town center to the sanctuary. A little tip: go in the morning to avoid the afternoon shade (it's cold).