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Tell me about... Orta San Giulio

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Palazotto and Pomodoro - photo courtesy of Mike Brown

The beautiful Palazotto in the piazza - with one of the "Pomodoro" sculptures on display in 2008  

 

The island of San Giulio from the piazza, and the island from a launch (photos courtesy of Mike Brown) 

The little train that takes you on a great tour of Orta San Giulio

The "trenino" offering a short tour of Orta San Giulio

 

The island of San Giulio, and the interior of the Basilica (photos courtesy of Mike Brown)

Isola San Giulio from the Sacro MonteOrta San Giulio is an enchanting village set on the edge of the peninsula which faces the Island of San Giulio.  The village has a special atmosphere of calm and tranquillity like no other place on earth, and a wealth of restaurants, ice cream bars, shops and bars, and a fun mini-golf.  It's easy to pass the time strolling, having a capuccino or aperitivo, and generally people watching.

Walk up above the village to the Sacro Monte, just for the view, or to see the series of chapels with statues and frescos depicting episodes in the life of San Francesco d'Assisi.

Take a launch to the Island of San Giulio: the twelfth century Romanesque Basilica on the island has a glass coffin with what's left of Saint Giulio on display, who is supposed to have walked on the lake in his better days.

From Orta San Giulio you can follow the path around the peninuslar (full details of this walk are provided in your location pack) right next to the lake.  For Villa Gelsomina and the apartments in Vacciago, we also provide directions for the walk down through the chestnut woods to Orta San Giulio.

You too could be sipping a Martini soaking up the ambience - book now! You can hire a rowing boat, or take a launch out to the island.  And you can take a dip in the lake from several places on the peninsular, including the little beach at Ortello

In late June there are unforgettable evening concerts in the Sala Tallone on the island.  

Admire the enchanting Isola San Giulio from the delightful little piazza in Orta San Giulio, where you can sip a Martini soaking up the unspoilt charm and tranquillity of this unique place.  The village is full of pizzerias, trattorias, and restaurants - for all tastes and all pockets.

Orta San Giulio is not known as a place for night life, but the Piano Bar in the Hotel San Rocco often has live music, and with its superb setting right on the lake can be a great place after a meal, and in fact there are several other enotecas and great bars in the village and nearby.

There is an evocative description of Orta San Giulio in this article on www.travelintelligence.net.

Santa Maria dell'Assunta in Orta San Giulio

The church at the top of the steps above the main square in Orta San Giulio

The following apartments are situated right in Orta San Giulio: Villa GiovanettiLa Calla, Orchidea and Azalea.  And these apartments are just 300 metres from the village: Darsena, Punta Movero, Belvedere, Cinque Terre.

The peaceful island of San Giulio - photo Mike Brown

The Via del Silenzio on the island

One of the many chapels of the Sacro Monte above Orta San Giulio - photo Mike Brown

Sacro Monte di Orta San Giulio

Sacro Monte - interior - photo Mike Brown

Interiors of some of the numerous and varied chapels of the Sacro Monte

Sacro Monte - interior - photo Mike Brown

Orta is great all the year round, this is what it looks like in winter...

View from La Motta towards the island, with the Palazzotto on the right, and two of the stunning sculptures by Arnaldo Pomodoro that are currently dotted around Orta - January 2009

A closer look at the sculpture by Pomodoro - view of the island - January 2009

Isola San Giulio from the Piazza of Orta San Giulio - January 2009

The official web site of the Comune of Orta San Giulio is www.ortasangiulio.com


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