Arona | Tourist town on Lake Maggiore, headquarters of the domains of Borromeo

Destinations

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Towards the end of the Lake Maggiore is Arona, the principal seat of the Borromeo family, which for centuries exerted a strong influence on the lake area. The giant statue of Cardinal San Carlo Borromeo, a Colossus 23.40 metres high, stands above the town. You can climb up inside to see a breathtaking view of the Lombard and Piedmontese shores of the lake through the apertures in the statue’s robes and through the Saint’s eyes.

Points of Interest

Lake Maggiore Boat Service

The “Navigazione del Lago Maggiore”, the Lake Maggiore Boat Service, is a government-run company with a large fleet that can guarantee communications and transport throughout the lake. Visitors to Lake...

Devotion Culture, music and entertainment

Colosso di San Carlo

The giant statue of San Carlo Borromeo stands near the town of Arona, close to the southern end of Lake Maggiore. The local people call it the “Sancarlone” (“Big St...

Culture, music and entertainment

Rocca di Arona

The Borromean Fortress at Arona is a defensive construction built about the year 1000 A.D. under Longobard domination; it overlooks the waters of Lake Maggiore and together with the Borromean...

Culture, music and entertainment

Piazza del Popolo

The picturesque square of Piazza del Popolo in Arona extends pleasantly along the lake front where the ancient commercial port, subsequently filled in to permit the square’s enlargement, once stood....

Bike UNESCO sites

Lagoni di Mercurago

The self-guiding thematic routes accompanying us in the visit to this Park, a protected naturalistic area established in 1980, are four: the route of humid zones, of woods, of productive...

Craftsmanship Culture, music and entertainment

Archaeological Museum in Arona

Opened in 1997, this museum preserves archaeological finds of the low Verbano area.

Holy Martyrs Church (or San Graziano)

The Church of the Holy Martyrs in Arona, of Romanesque origin, stands at the top of the steps at the back of Piazza San Graziano. Also known as San Graziano...

Culture, music and entertainment

Old Mills of Arona

The watermills of Arona are tangible evidence of one of the oldest medieval activities in our area, designed to exploit water resources. The various artificial watercourses in the town, such...

Culture, music and entertainment

Villa Ponti

In common with all the main towns on Lake Maggiore, Arona possesses a number of fine mansion houses with superb gardens, which were once the summer residences of their wealthy...

The Villas of Arona

The lovely lakeside town of Arona near the southern end of Lake Maggiore has a number of magnificent mansion houses surrounded by extensive gardens bright with flowers. The first of...

Collegiate Church of Santa Maria

The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria in Arona, dedicated to the Birth of the Virgin, is one of the buildings that best characterise the town. The church stands in the...

Golf Club Arona

Arona Golf Club opened in June 2003. The course is a 9-holer, par 68, SSS 67. The young club has grown rapidly and proven a great success. The club’s success...

Culture, music and entertainment

Meina, the old town and its villas

Meina is an attractive holiday resort on Lake Maggiore with several superb 19th century villas: Villa Eden, Villa Faraggiana, Villa Pasta “La Favorita”, Palazzo Bedone, Villa Bonomi and Villa Faraone....

Culture, music and entertainment

Nebbiuno: the Brocchetta and the Follaccia

The village of Nebbiuno is a favourite destination in summer, thanks to its enchanting view over Lake Maggiore. The situation of the village means that from its altitude of 400...

Culture, music and entertainment

Medieval town centres

Explore the picturesque corners and medieval squares of the old town centres and their architectural treasures, in a union of art and history. The medieval origins of the area around...