Landscape Narratives: The Sacro Monte d’Orta (Italy)

Research on the Sacro Monte d'Orta, one of Italy's earliest Holy Mountains (Sacri Monti), reveals its landscape design principles share striking similarities with later picturesque gardens in England and France. This study highlights the innovative approach behind the site's arrangement of chapels, which narrate the life of Jesus or a saint through a cinematic sequence in the landscape. Unlike previous scholarship that focused on artistic features like paintings and sculptures, this research examines the landscape design methods using historical documents, physical exploration, and visual interpretation. The findings suggest that the Sacro Monte d'Orta may represent an early example of picturesque devices, offering new insights into the cultural significance and design evolution of these devotional sites.

Molinari, C. (2023). Landscape Narratives: The Sacro Monte d’Orta (Italy). Landscapes, 24(2), 121–137. https://doi.org/10.1080/14662035.2023.2340130