Lake Orta
The enchanting Lake Orta
The promontory of Orta, facing the Island of San Giulio, a dramatically fascinating and romantic place.
The ancient village of Orta is one of the most picturesque ancient villages in Northern Italy. It is criss-crossed by small alleys overlooked by princely palaces in Renaissance/Baroque style. There are also historical buildings erected on medieval foundations recalling the old simple life of the fishermen and craftsmen.
The Island of San Giulio, right in front of Orta, has always represented the charming heart of the lake. It features an ancient church founded by St. Giulio himself in the 4th century. You can take a walk along the street looping around the island.
During summer, the lake mitigates the heat of the sun. It is absolutely wonderful to get a tan while relaxing by a tranquil, small inlet.
Nights are filled with a romantic and evocative atmosphere, thanks to the many international events and myriad of feasts and village fairs.
The Sacromonte
From Orta we can walk to Sacro Monte, one of the most important Piedmont shrines dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi. It is a complex consisting of 22 chapels built between the 16th and 18th century.
In these chapels the Saint’s life is narrated by means of precious statues made of terracotta and wood.
Statues and paintings create scenes of deep realism: the intimate and natural atmospheres typical of early seventeenth-century Lombard art are combined with the lively theatrical Baroque style of the end of the century.
The beauty of the landscape, its silence and harmonious balance between art, architecture and nature mirror the essence of Franciscan spirituality.