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Basilica di San Giulio

Orta San Giulio


This atmospheric church is the main attraction on the tiny Isola San Giulio and was built over various periods dating back to the 9th century. Its bell tower and medieval pulpit date from the 12th century. Frescoes (from the 14th to 19th centuries) cover the walls, though the church's most surprising feature is in the sacristy. From the vault hangs a large fossilised vertebra, which according to legend belonged to one of the terrible dragons San Giulio vanquished from the island.


Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¼´Ê±¿ª½±'s must-see attractions

Nearby Orta San Giulio attractions

1. Isola San Giulio

0.07 MILES

Anchored barely 500m in front of Piazza Mario Motta is Isola San Giulio. The island is dominated by the 12th-century Basilica di San Giulio, full of…

2. Orta San Giulio

0.35 MILES

Overlooking the forest-lined banks of the shimmering Lake Orta, this shore-hugging village has abundant allure. It occupies a kidney-shaped peninsula with…

3. Piazza Mario Motta

0.36 MILES

Here's a picture of how life really should be lived: rise early and head for a coffee on Piazza Mario Motta, gazing across at the sun-struck Isola San…

4. Chiesa dell'Assunta

0.45 MILES

A short walk uphill from the Piazza Mario Motta on the waterfront, this church dates back to the 15th century, though it was rebuilt in the 1700s. It has…

5. Sacro Monte di San Francesco

0.54 MILES

Beyond the lush gardens and residences that mark the hill rising behind Orta is a kind of parallel ‘town’ – the sacro monte, where 20 small chapels…

6. Monte Mottarone

6.54 MILES

The cable-car trip up Monte Mottarone (1492m) from the northwestern end of Stresa offers pretty views over Lake Maggiore, including Isola Bella and Isola…

7. Museo dell’Ombrello e del Parasole

7.05 MILES

Those driving to Mottarone or Orta San Giulio (for Lake Orta) from Stresa could stop in Gignese (8km from Stresa) for the intriguing Museo dell’Ombrello e…

8. Sacro Monte di Varallo

7.11 MILES

Situated 66km northwest of Vercelli in northern Piedmont, Varallo guards the Sacro Monte di Varallo, the oldest of Italy's nine Sacri Monti (Sacred…