Orta San Giulio
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 6 January 2023
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Situated around twenty kilometres west of Lake Maggiore, the quieter environs of Lake Orta are graced by the elegance of Orta San Giulio.
Taking its rightful place among the Borghi Piu Belli d'Italia (Italy's most beautiful villages), Orta San Giulio is a lakeside town to rank among the very best in the country. This is a fully intact and liveable medieval town with a delightful main square overlooking the incomparable Isola San Giulio. |
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The village centre is dominated by Piazza Motta. On one side of the piazza, a row of multi-coloured buildings with wrought-iron balconies looks out onto the lake with the eye gratefully distracted by the impossibly beautiful island at the centre of it. Beneath this row of buildings are a number of shops and restaurants that offer some welcome shade during the hottest months of summer. Another star turn in the piazza is the town hall, built in 1582 and known colloquially as the Palazzotto or by its official name, the Palazzo della Communità.
Walk north, south or east of Piazza Motta and you'll find charming cobbled streets supplanted by fascinating archways and galleries. The narrow Via Olina conceals a number of shops and restaurants while the wider Via Albertoletti or Salita della Motta rises towards the town's main church: Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, built in the 15th century.
To the west of Piazza Motta, it won't be long before curiosity gets the better of you and you'll want to take a closer look at the island in the lake. Isola San Giulio is a haven of tranquility that can be accessed by one of the waiting water taxis. It doesn't take long to walk around the island but its sense of peace and quiet lingers long in the memory.
Orta San Giulio offers a good number of accommodation options with some beautiful hotels overlooking the water. Although the town is pedestrianised, it's easy to access by car and there's a modern, multi-storey (partially underground) car park just a short walk from the centre.
The town sits on the fringes of a large headland which is topped by a religious sanctuary, the Sacro Monte di Orta. This offers a fascinating diversion from the delights at water level but also some of the most breathtaking views of the lake. Other towns around the lake that merit a visit are Omegna, 10 kilometres to the north, or the much smaller Pella which is directly opposite Orta San Giulio.
Walk north, south or east of Piazza Motta and you'll find charming cobbled streets supplanted by fascinating archways and galleries. The narrow Via Olina conceals a number of shops and restaurants while the wider Via Albertoletti or Salita della Motta rises towards the town's main church: Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, built in the 15th century.
To the west of Piazza Motta, it won't be long before curiosity gets the better of you and you'll want to take a closer look at the island in the lake. Isola San Giulio is a haven of tranquility that can be accessed by one of the waiting water taxis. It doesn't take long to walk around the island but its sense of peace and quiet lingers long in the memory.
Orta San Giulio offers a good number of accommodation options with some beautiful hotels overlooking the water. Although the town is pedestrianised, it's easy to access by car and there's a modern, multi-storey (partially underground) car park just a short walk from the centre.
The town sits on the fringes of a large headland which is topped by a religious sanctuary, the Sacro Monte di Orta. This offers a fascinating diversion from the delights at water level but also some of the most breathtaking views of the lake. Other towns around the lake that merit a visit are Omegna, 10 kilometres to the north, or the much smaller Pella which is directly opposite Orta San Giulio.
Comune di Orta San Giulio
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Province: Novara
Region: Piedmont Population: 1,131 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2023) Size: 6.8 km² Elevation: 294 metres Highlights: Isola San Giulio, Piazza Motta, Palazzotto Close by: Sacro Monte di Orta, Omegna, Pella Recommended accommodation: Hotel La Bussola |
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One of I Borghi più belli d'Italia (Italy's Most Beautiful Villages)
Listing headline: L'acquerello di Dio (God's Watercolour) |
Awarded the Bandiera Arancione (Orange Flag)
1 of 18 in Piedmont listed by Touring Club Italiano |
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