Italy multi centre multi-coloured chapel

On your next Italy multi centre holiday, consider travelling to a little-known chapel in the humble province of Cuneo. Situated in South-west Piedmont, Cuneo is a city that is said to hold “the most colourful church in the world”.

The vibrant edifice we’re referring to is the Chapel of the Madonna delle Grazie in La Morra. In the picturesque village of La Morra, in the province of Cuneo, you’ll find a place named Brunate, where the famed chapel is located. As you embark on this Italy multi-centre journey to Brunate, you’ll find that, locally, the chapel is referred to as Cappella del Barolo.

This small church, never consecrated, was built by a wealthy farmer in 1914 as a shelter for those who worked in the surrounding vineyards in the event of thunderstorms or hailstorms. In 1970, the chapel was bought by the Ceretto family along with six hectares of the Brunate vineyard. After years of neglect, today you can identify the chapel as one of the most famous attractions of the whole territory.

In 1999, the chapel’s fame reached the rest of the world and eventually it was restored by English and American artists. The English artist, David Tremlett, renewed the interior decorations with the help of an American named Sol Lewitt, who gave the outside a warm polychrome, transforming the façade into the lively appearance that can be seen today.

The exterior of the chapel is decorated with geometric forms of bright purples, oranges, yellows, greens and reds. The chromatic vivacity of the exterior contrasts with the more intimate atmosphere of the interior, with muted colours of the earth found on the walls, marble flooring and oval windows that are enclosed in Murano glass. The building, equipped with a new life, now hosts numerous cultural events and exhibitions.

What adds to the chapel’s character, and an aspect that makes it an ideal addition to your Italy multi-centre holiday, is the rolling hills of the Piedmontese countryside. Vineyards fill the landscape with colour while also facilitating the creation of Barolo, a fine wine that is the pride of the local economy and tourism. Like all the finest Italian wines, Barolo is delicious to drink and a perfect accompaniment to any gastronomic recipe.

On an Italy holiday to Piedmont, you can immerse yourself in this beautiful village through its mesmerising local sites and assortment of mouth-watering flavours. La Morra is a welcoming land, ready to be discovered, thanks to its Barolo wine and historical artistic attractions.

Beyond the Chapel of the Madonna delle Grazie, this region has a few more recommended sights for your next Italy multi centre holiday:

• Castello Falletti
• Castello della Volta
• The Bell Tower
• The Palazzo dei Marchesi di Barolo
• The parish church dedicated to San Martino
• The Confraternita di San Sebastiano
• The church of Santa Brigid
• The parish church of Santa Maria in Plaustra.
• The Ratti dei Vini Museum of Alba (located in the former convent of the Santissima Annunziata)

If you’re interested in participating in an Italy multi-centre holiday of the province of Cuneo the next time you visit Italy, you can reach us via our online form or contact us directly at (UK) 01223 637331or (US) 347-594-5500 for a personalised holiday quote tailored to you.