One of the most beautiful places I’ve visited in Italy ✨. The area is blessed with breathtaking nature and stunning lake views ⛰️🌊, along with cozy restaurants, cafes, and small local markets that create a charming atmosphere. Taking the boats to the nearby islands was an unforgettable experience. A perfect spot for relaxation and natural beauty — highly recommended 🌟.

We visited the Sacra Monte with 20 chapels that recreate the life if St Francis of Assisi. Very nice and easy to walk once you drive up. Had great views of the lake island and areas.

Cleanest lake in the region! Really nice, worth a visit!

Beautiful spot to visit, hike, relax and honestly what ever you feel like to do. There is some much to do here. It's very relaxing to be at as it's not so busy and if it's busy it's easy to get away. Scenery is amazing. Breath taking. Stunning. See pictures. I recommend definitely to try to be on the lake either by boat or kayaks.

Gorgeous lake. Lots of access to the water. Pella is pretty but Orta is gorgeous!

What a beautiful place

Lake Orta (Italian: Lago d’Orta) is a lake in northern Italy, west of Lake Maggiore. It has been so named since the 16th century, but was previously called the Lago di San Giulio, after Saint Julius (4th century), the patron saint of the region. Its southern end is about 35 kilometres (22 miles) by rail, to the northwest of Novara on the main Turin-Milan line, while its north end is about 6 kilometres (4 miles) by rail south of the Gravellona-Toce railway station, halfway between Ornavasso and Omegna. Its scenery is characteristically Italian, while the San Giulio island has some very picturesque buildings, and takes its name from the local saint, who lived in the 4th century. Located around the lake are Orta San Giulio, built on a peninsula projecting from the east shore of the lake, Omegna at its northern extremity, Pettenasco to the east, and Pella to the west. It is supposed that the lake is the remnant of a much larger sheet of water by which originally the waters of the Toce flowed south towards Novara. As the glaciers retreated the waters flowing from them reduced, and were gradually diverted into Lake Maggiore. The inaugural European Rowing Championships were held on Lake Orta in 1893. A frequent ferry service connects towns and villages around the lake.

The walk of silence around the island with quotes to ponder along the way, the boat ride to get there and the Basilica…all of it is just MAGICAL! Words and pictures cannot begin to describe its beauty! More than its beauty, there is something that soothes you there. Perhaps because it’s an island dedicated to worship - worship that has taken place there continuously since the 12th century. It is one of the most special places on earth!

Very beautiful and charming place. Imcredible climate. I will definitely go back there.

Beautiful. Takes 10-15mn to walk around. Worth the visit

Beautiful island! Peaceful and quiet. Definitely going to back there to enjoy it another time!

Lovely place. Very nice for a walk around. Obviously not much else here but it’s not supposed to be is it? But it’s very nice to wander around

Beautiful island, great place to visit during the week

It's a magical place suspended in time. Lives at a small pace that is hardly disturbed by the turmoil of modern life. If possible come visit it outside of the touristic season, when the quiet of the place will enhance tour meditation. The basilica on the island is ancient and well preserved. Of note are the pulpit carved from a block of local stone and the crypt with the remains of Saint Jules (v century), founder of the Church. Still remembered today is the legend of Saint Jules and his chasing a drake away from the island. Most likely an allegory for the subsiding of ancient pagan rites by tje new Christian religion.

Magnificent and intriguing place located on the wooded heights of Lake Orta, this sacred Mont is a path of devotion, dating from the 17th century, composed of twenty chapels, which the public can only admire through grids. Inside these chapels which compose it, representing episodes of life and miracles of Saint Francis of Assisi, are 376 life -size terracotta statues. At the entrance, on an arch, you will find the inscription: "Here, in ordered chapels, we can see the life of Saint Francis; if we want to know, the author is love".

The most peaceful Lake Orta and walk around Mont Sacre d’Orta is not to be missed with its many beautiful chapels. Don’t try to take your car into the pedestrianised town centre. There is parking around the town.

This entire park on Monte Sacro is simply magnificent. It’s the perfect place for a family walk, where you can enjoy both the natural beauty and the cultural richness of the beautifully scattered chapels throughout the park. The views over Lake Orta are stunning. Just a heads-up: there are quite a few mosquitoes, especially in summer, so it’s worth bringing insect repellent. A truly special visit!

Amazing place, absolutely worth it. Stunning views of Lake Orta and beautiful chapels

Don't miss it. Very nice walk, great views, and a lot of things to see. It is very pleasant in a sunny day, but even when cloudy it is very nice, different and interesting. Take the little path at the end that leads to the center to enjoy some good wine and food.

this was stunning and such a beautiful area. Great views and lovely to walk around and see all the chapels.

Interesting though the condition of the sculptures and paintings is relatively poor and some of the paintings are damaged due to vandalism!

Tiny island on lake Orta, notable for the so called walk of silence. A footpath that runs around the island used as a meditavid method to chill out. Various signs quoting the benefits of silence are spread around the walk. Only takes a few minute's to complete.

Nice basilica on the small island of San Giulio. It is reachable by a boat ride and some steps. Inside, the basilica is decorated with paintings. Recommended to visit.

Dont miss this place if you are planning to visit Northern Italy. A very serine island with a rich history, beautiful church and awesome scenary

Fantastic smaller original condition romanesque Basilica with many frescoes. Highly recommended.

Looks better from the shore. Nothing silent about it. Take all of 30 mins. You could happily miss it out and a boat ride out round the lake instead

The Basilica di San Giulio is a Roman Catholic church on the small Isola San Giulio in the center of Lake Orta, it has the status of a minor basilica. I feel like so blessed to be here, because the church full of history, and you feel mystery, you will see a saint body underground, like a movie. According to tradition, it was the hundredth, and last, church founded by Julius of Novara and his brother Giuliano, both natives of Aegina in Greece, who dedicated their later years to the evangelization of the area around Lake Orta. Legend has it that around year 390 the saint reached the island sailing on his cloak, and then freeing it from dragons (symbols of paganism); after the defeat of the monsters he built a small church devoted to the Twelve Apostles.

If in Orta a visit to the island is a "must do"

With a beautiful view of the lake and mountains, the church is located in a fantastic spot!

This church in Orta San Giulio is worth visiting, located at the top overlooking the town's main square and a glimpse of the lake, the church ceiling is fully covered with beautiful frescoes.

Beautiful. A must visit

Majestic church at the top of the stairs from the main piazza.

NICE EXTERNAL ARCHITECTURE. I COULDN'T APPRECIATE IT FROM INSIDE AS THE DOORS WERE CLOSED.

lovely

(Translated by Google) A small church built in the 16th century with frescoes and a beautiful straw-yellow façade. It can be reached by climbing up from the town center. To the right, the paved road leads up to the holy mountain. (Original) Piccola chiesa costruita nel Cinquecento con affreschi con una bella facciata in giallo paglierino. Ci si arriva con una salita dal centro del paese. A destra poi sale la strada lastricata per il monte santo.