Chapel Five – The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

The Fifth Chapel of the Sacro Monte di Varese, dedicated to the Finding of Jesus in the Temple, is an imposing building at the top of a steep road from the Fourth Chapel, and offers views over Varese.

The people of Varese were responsible for its construction, although the donations came in slowly and the building was only completed in 1623, after works began in 1607. 
Inside the chapel are more than twenty statues in terracotta, made by Francesco Silva and showing the adolescent Jesus Christ at the centre, surrounded by the doctors of the temple. These latter, shown with an extraordinary variety of poses and facial expressions, are in the midst of a lively discussion. 
The painter, Carlo Francesco Nuvolone, together with Francesco Villa, contributed with frescos representing scenes linked to the subject of the chapel above the window. In 1651, Nuvolone was also commissioned to colour the statues, perhaps after the death of Silva ten years before.