Created between the late 15th and early 18th centuries, the Sacri Monti are groups of chapels used as places of prayer representing different aspects of Christianity. The nine Sacri Monti are: Sacro Monte di Varallo (1486), Sacro Monte di Crea (1589), Sacro Monte di Orta (1590), Sacro Monte di Varese (1604), Sacro Monte di Oropa (1617), Sacro Monte di Ossuccio (1635), Sacro Monte di Ghiffa (1591), Sacro Monte Calvario di Domodossola (1657), Sacro Monte di Belmonte (1712).

The Sacro Monte di Orta, dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226), consists of 21 chapels, each chapel representing a certain episode in the life of St. Francis.