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| Spotlight On ... |
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The Lakes of Italy
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Lake Orta - Island of San Giulio
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| Lake Orta |
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Lake Orta (also called Cusio) is at an
altitude of 290 m and has a surface area of around 18.5 square km and a maximum depth of 143 m. The area around
the lake was inhabited in Roman times and then it was part of a Longobard duchy. The territory of Lake Orta belonged
to the Church and to Milan, becoming part of the Kingdom of Sardinia towards the end of the 18th century.
On the Island of San Giulio, in
the center of the lake there is the ancient and attractive Basilica of San
Giulio, with interesting 15th century frescoes.
Orta San Giulio has a very pleasant
climate, made mild by the presence of the lake. It is worth visiting the Palazzo
della Comunità, of the 16th century, and the parish church, of the
15th century. At little more than a kilometer away there is the interesting Sacro
Monte (Holy Hill), a wooded hill with a religious complex made up of around
twenty chapels dedicated to Saint Francis, put up between the 16th and 18th centuries and decorated with frescoes
and sculptures. |
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| The Lakes of Avigliana |
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The Lakes of Avigliana, of glacial origin,
are around 2 km from the center of the town of Avigliana. They are separated by an isthmus and are called lago
Grande (or the Lake of Avigliana), and lago
Piccolo (or the lake of Trana), due to their respective sizes. |
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| In the surrounding area the splendid Natural Park has particular flora and fauna and
it is also possible to go horse riding here. The main tourist and sporting activities take place on the shores
of lago Grande, while the zone of
the isthmus is a popular camping area. |
| Avigliana is perhaps of Celtic origin and
the origin of its name seems to be connected to apiculture which was an important commercial activity in the Roman
era.In the middle-ages the monks of the nearby Abbey of Novalesa built a hospital and guest house there to accommodate the pilgrims from France traveling
to Rome. In 1045 it became part of the kingdom of Savoy and was the residence of the kingdom's rulers until 1418.
The Church of San Giovanni (12th-14th
century) with its 15th century frescoes and late 16th century chiseled pulpit is well worth a visit. The Casa della Porta Ferrata ( House of the Iron clad
door), with Gothic mullions and arches, the House of Savoy (15th century), the House of the Blessed Umberto III
(12th century) and the Church of Saint Peter (10th-11th century), with 15th century frescoes, are also very attractive.
Nearby there is the Gothic Church of Sant' Antonio di Ranverso (12th-15th century), with paintings by Jaquerio (15th century) and Ferrari (16th century). |
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The Sacra di San Michele, a sort of church-fortress of great artistic interest, is a must. Perched at a dizzy height of almost
1000 m it dominates the whole valley of Susa. The monastery is an extraordinary building which occupies the whole
area of the rocky peak of Mount Pirchiriano . Its construction began in the last years of the 10th century just
around a small three-choir church which was consecrated to the Archangel Saint Michael, and it lasted four centuries,
from the 11th to the 14th century.
It soon became one of the most famous Benedictine monuments in Europe. www.sacradisanmichele.com |
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| Lake Viverone |
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Lake Viverone, situated at an altitude
of 230 m, is of morainic origin. It extends over an area of about 8.5 square km and reaches a depth of 50 m. On
its shores many prehistoric artifacts have been found, particularly from the bronze age. |
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| Viverone is a town with ancient origins,
with evidence of settlement as far back as the bronze age and with Roman and paleochristian remains. Today it is
a pleasant tourist center. |
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| For more information: |
"DISTRETTO TURISTICO DEI LAGHI" Scrl.
Via P. Tommaso, 70/72 - 28838 STRESA
Tel. 0323 30416
Fax 0323 934335
www.distrettolaghi.it |
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