Standing at 1,874 metres on a panoramic terrace overlooking the Grande Valley, the chapel occupies a site of very ancient devotion. The presence of cup marks and small channels carved into the boulders suggests the area was once a place of pre-Christian worship, a place where the stone tells stories stretching back millennia.
Site overview
Dedicated to the Madonna del Carmine, the chapel stands at 1,874 m above sea level on a grassy terrace above the village of Vonzo, at the centre of a broad basin from which the views extend across the whole of the Grande Valley.
Its remote location, the small channels and cup marks carved into some of the boulders, and the numerous legends linked to the area all confirm its very ancient origins as a site of devotional practice, dating back to pre-Christian worship.
Built in 1755, it is a humble yet welcoming structure with a simple architectural form: the central door is flanked by two small windows, and a bell tower sits on the façade. Inside, there is a single altar, and a statue of the Madonna del Carmine is housed in a niche.
The chapel preserves around seventy ex-voto offerings of very ancient origin, testifying to the intense and enduring devotion inspired by this site. The chapel’s feast day is celebrated on the Saturday closest to 16 July.
How to visit the site
After arriving at the village of Chialamberto, cross a bridge and immediately ascend to the right. At the fork, take the left path, ignoring the turn toward Balmavenera, and follow the switchbacks up to Candiela, where you can park your car. Proceed toward Vonzo, which is soon accessible via a well-maintained track through dense woods. At the end of the village, take the left fork, and after the first bend, you will reach a barrier. From there, navigate tight switchbacks and a long diagonal route to arrive at a junction near a large rocky outcrop. Turn right, and after several more switchbacks, you will reach another junction near the charming small statues that are well known throughout the area. Continue right, crossing the slope on the right side of Paglia Brook, and ignore the left turn until you reach the Chapel of the Madonna del Ciavanis. This small church is situated on lovely grassy slopes with a small forecourt overlooking the valley.