Verbania
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 6 January 2023
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The city of Verbania is the capital city of the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola with a population of 30,505 inhabitants.
Standing at an elevation between 200 - 678 metres above sea level, it covers a total area of 38 km² and lies 140 kilometres north east of Turin, the regional capital of Piedmont. Although it has the smallest population of the eight provincial capitals of Piedmont, it is arguably the prettiest; situated on the shores of Lake Maggiore and home to the stunning Villa Taranto. |
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Perhaps the strangest thing about Verbania is that it didn't exist as a single entity until 1939. It was then that the incumbent Fascist Italian government decided to unite the towns of Pallanza, Intra and Suna, along with a number of smaller, outlying villages. When travelling to Verbania one can easily get confused as you never actually arrive there as such; you could be getting off one of the Lake Maggiore ferries at Pallanza, Intra or Villa Taranto, or perhaps settle down at a lakeside beach in Suna, thinking that was the main part of the city.
So rather than being considered as one single city, Verbania should be looked at as a collection of locations grouped together. As a result of this mini-unification, Verbania became the biggest "city" around Lake Maggiore and later, the capital of the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province when that was formed in 1992. Incidentally, "Cusio" refers to the area around nearby Lake Orta while Ossola is a valley region to the north of Verbania with the town of Domodossola at its centre.
The largest urban area of Verbania is that of Intra; Verbania as a whole occupies a peninsula roughly halfway down Lake Maggiore's western shore, and Intra covers the peninsula's north-eastern section. The main sights of Intra are the Basilica di San Vittore which is just a short walk from its main square: the colourful Piazza Ranzoni. Here there are lots of shops, bars and restaurants as well as the imbarcadero, the ferry stop which allows you to travel all the way around the lake.
Intra's lungolago (lakeside promenade) is a popular place for a stroll and depending on how energetic you're feeling, you could walk all the way to one of the areas most intriguing sights: "Il Maggiore". Designed by Salvador Perez Arroyo and opened in 2016, the futuristic building houses a theatre and exhibitions halls where various events take place.
Further south of the Il Maggiore complex, heading towards Pallanza (but still officially in Intra), is perhaps Verbania's greatest offering: Villa Taranto. Originally built in 1875, the villa was bought in 1939 by one Captain Neil McEachern who developed it into the beautiful botanical garden that we see today. For any visit to Lake Maggiore, Villa Taranto is an absolute must; it's particularly easy to visit from any location around the lake as it has its own imbarcadero just outside its front gates.
Either taking a ferry south around the headland or west on foot, you shortly come to the second major area of Verbania: Pallanza. Again you'll find a beautiful lungolago where you can stroll along the edge of the lake or take it easy by relaxing in one of the bars or restaurants on Piazza Garibaldi, the square down by the waterside. The most famous sight in Pallanza is the Chiesa di San Leonardo with its distinctive bell tower while Verbania's Town Hall adds further grandeur.
The smallest of the three main areas of Verbania is Suna. If arriving by car from Stresa, just south of Verbania, this is the first part of the city you'll see. Its characterised by another charming lungolago with multi-coloured houses and dozens of fishing boats lying at the ready to head out and catch their prey.
Although it can seem pointless after the incomparable wonders of Villa Taranto, there are two further gardens in Verbania that merit a visit if time allows. In Pallanza there's Villa Giulia while just south of Villa Taranto itself there's Villa San Remigio. If you have an extensive stay planned in Verbania you can also visit the Museo del Paesaggio and continuing directly north on the same road, the Chiesa Madonna di Campagna church.
So rather than being considered as one single city, Verbania should be looked at as a collection of locations grouped together. As a result of this mini-unification, Verbania became the biggest "city" around Lake Maggiore and later, the capital of the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province when that was formed in 1992. Incidentally, "Cusio" refers to the area around nearby Lake Orta while Ossola is a valley region to the north of Verbania with the town of Domodossola at its centre.
The largest urban area of Verbania is that of Intra; Verbania as a whole occupies a peninsula roughly halfway down Lake Maggiore's western shore, and Intra covers the peninsula's north-eastern section. The main sights of Intra are the Basilica di San Vittore which is just a short walk from its main square: the colourful Piazza Ranzoni. Here there are lots of shops, bars and restaurants as well as the imbarcadero, the ferry stop which allows you to travel all the way around the lake.
Intra's lungolago (lakeside promenade) is a popular place for a stroll and depending on how energetic you're feeling, you could walk all the way to one of the areas most intriguing sights: "Il Maggiore". Designed by Salvador Perez Arroyo and opened in 2016, the futuristic building houses a theatre and exhibitions halls where various events take place.
Further south of the Il Maggiore complex, heading towards Pallanza (but still officially in Intra), is perhaps Verbania's greatest offering: Villa Taranto. Originally built in 1875, the villa was bought in 1939 by one Captain Neil McEachern who developed it into the beautiful botanical garden that we see today. For any visit to Lake Maggiore, Villa Taranto is an absolute must; it's particularly easy to visit from any location around the lake as it has its own imbarcadero just outside its front gates.
Either taking a ferry south around the headland or west on foot, you shortly come to the second major area of Verbania: Pallanza. Again you'll find a beautiful lungolago where you can stroll along the edge of the lake or take it easy by relaxing in one of the bars or restaurants on Piazza Garibaldi, the square down by the waterside. The most famous sight in Pallanza is the Chiesa di San Leonardo with its distinctive bell tower while Verbania's Town Hall adds further grandeur.
The smallest of the three main areas of Verbania is Suna. If arriving by car from Stresa, just south of Verbania, this is the first part of the city you'll see. Its characterised by another charming lungolago with multi-coloured houses and dozens of fishing boats lying at the ready to head out and catch their prey.
Although it can seem pointless after the incomparable wonders of Villa Taranto, there are two further gardens in Verbania that merit a visit if time allows. In Pallanza there's Villa Giulia while just south of Villa Taranto itself there's Villa San Remigio. If you have an extensive stay planned in Verbania you can also visit the Museo del Paesaggio and continuing directly north on the same road, the Chiesa Madonna di Campagna church.
Comune di Verbania
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Province: Verbano Cusio Ossola
Region: Piedmont Population: 29,856 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2023) Size: 37 km² Elevation: 200 - 678 metres Top sights: Villa Taranto, Pallanza, Intra, Suna, Villa Giulia Recommended accommodation: Hotel San Gottardo Close by: Sacro Monte di Ghiffa, Isola Madre, Baveno, Oggebbio |
Verbania Travel
The best ways to travel to Verbania are by car or ferry. As mentioned above, Intra, Pallanza and Villa Taranto each have their own imbarcadero and the ferries allow pleasant and efficient travel to all of the main sights around Lake Maggiore. The closest train station is somewhat confusingly called "Verbania-Pallanza" but is situated 7 kilometres west along the main road, close to Lake Mergozzo. You can though, catch a number 2 bus which takes around 15 minutes to reach Pallanza.
Trains from Verbania-Pallanza run south to Milan (Milano Centrale - 1 hour 19 mins) stopping along the way at the major lakeside towns of Stresa (7 minutes) and Arona (21 minutes) before crossing the regional border to Lombardy. Heading north you can reach Domodossola in 35 minutes with the first stop at the beautiful town of Mergozzo (4 minutes) which sits on the lake of the same name.
The most convenient airport for Verbania is Milan Malpensa Airport which is 50 minutes and 64 kilometres away by car. The two best alternatives are Milan Linate Airport (1 hour 27 mins/119 km by car) and Turin Airport (1 hour 32 mins/155 km by car).
Verbania's geographical position is such that it has an enviable list of nearby places to visit. All of the towns around Lake Maggiore are easy to reach by ferry and include Stresa and Baveno to the south, and the Sacro Monte di Ghiffa, Cannero Riviera and Cannobio to the north. Unmissable are the Borromean Islands of Isola Madre, Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori; all within easy reach by ferry. Also, if you have a car it's only a 20 minute drive to Lake Orta with the towns of Omegna and particularly Orta San Giulio obligatory stops.
Trains from Verbania-Pallanza run south to Milan (Milano Centrale - 1 hour 19 mins) stopping along the way at the major lakeside towns of Stresa (7 minutes) and Arona (21 minutes) before crossing the regional border to Lombardy. Heading north you can reach Domodossola in 35 minutes with the first stop at the beautiful town of Mergozzo (4 minutes) which sits on the lake of the same name.
The most convenient airport for Verbania is Milan Malpensa Airport which is 50 minutes and 64 kilometres away by car. The two best alternatives are Milan Linate Airport (1 hour 27 mins/119 km by car) and Turin Airport (1 hour 32 mins/155 km by car).
Verbania's geographical position is such that it has an enviable list of nearby places to visit. All of the towns around Lake Maggiore are easy to reach by ferry and include Stresa and Baveno to the south, and the Sacro Monte di Ghiffa, Cannero Riviera and Cannobio to the north. Unmissable are the Borromean Islands of Isola Madre, Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori; all within easy reach by ferry. Also, if you have a car it's only a 20 minute drive to Lake Orta with the towns of Omegna and particularly Orta San Giulio obligatory stops.
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By air: Milan Malpensa Airport - 56 minutes by car (64 km)
By train: Mergozzo - 4 minutes, Stresa - 7 minutes |
Verbania Gallery
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