The 16th-century frescoes in the chapel record the secret transfer of the Shroud, which was covertly moved through these mountains under ducal orders. As the earliest known depiction of its kind in Piedmont, this artistic masterpiece turns the church into a living testament to the Renaissance.
Site overview
In the Chapel of Saints Sebastian and Lawrence, several 16th-century frescoes depicting the Holy Shroud testify to its secret journey through the Ala Valley during transport from Chambéry to Turin in 1535.
The frescoes, the oldest of their kind in Piedmont, depict the earliest known official exhibition of the Holy Shroud.
These paintings are not just devotional artworks; they also commemorate a historic event: the Holy Shroud’s visit to this chapel in 1535. This was ordered by Charles III to prevent it from falling into French hands, as they were close to occupying Savoy, or from being destroyed by Calvin’s followers, who targeted relics. In 1910, the frescoes gained recognition as a “Monument of Outstanding Artistic and Historical Merit.”
How to visit the site
The chapel, situated in the hamlet of Voragno, is visible from the road as it stands right beside it. A few parking spots are available along the road. The fresco of the Holy Shroud is painted on the chapel's exterior wall and can be seen through a protective panel.
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