- Art & Culture
- Religious Tourism
Chapel Six - Jesus Praying in the Garden
The Sixth Chapel of the Sacro Monte di Varese, dedicated to Jesus Praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, shows the first of the Sorrowful Mysteries. The building features a sober architectural style with rectangular main structure, a portico decorated with an elegant curved top, and an oval apse on the back.
The chapel stands on a terrace with balustrade, and its position required complex work of engineering, supervised by the architect, Bernascone, for over twenty years.
Inside, an archway with two columns, offers a perspective of Christ praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, while the apostles, Peter, James and John are sleeping, unaware of the arrival of Judas and a group of soldiers.
The frescos decorating the walls have been attributed to Bartolomeo Ghiandone and narrate episodes closely connected to the mystery shown. Restoration in 1988 was able to recover the painted decorations, decorated by previous interventions and repainting in the 19th and 20th centuries. The scenes show include the moment when Christ makes himself known to the soldiers, the traitor's kiss from Judas, and Jesus’ capture, with Peter who is cutting off Malchus’ ear. The side walls of the chapel are painted with Judas’ entry into the Garden and Jesus’ arrest.
