Lake Orta Travel Guide

  Your Travel Guide for Lake Orta - Beatriz Macias

My Lake Orta....

“This most western lake of the southern Alps sits amongst untouched natural beauty, hiding from the frenzied tourist trails behind the mountain of Mottarone.

Not as well known as Lake Maggiore or Lake Como, getting to this small lake is part of its charm, as the road will take you over hills, offering you wonderful panoramic views.

Once at the lake, visit Orta San Giulio, a charming medieval village by the lake, and the perfect beginning to the discovery of what Lake Orta has to offer.”

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  Events around Lake Orta

Lake Orta's Attractions

Top Ten Things to See and Do

1. Visit the Village of Orta San Giulio
2. Take the boat to the Island of San Giulio.
3. The Chapel of the Sacro Monte, one of the nine sacred mountains of northern Italy
4. Visit the spur of the Sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso jutting over the lake
5. Hike in Mottarone
6. Visit the exhibitions at the Museum Palazzo Ubertini: Dimora delle Arti www.dimoradellearti.com
7. Eat at the Michelin 3 star Al Sorriso restaurant
8. Kayak or boat on the lake
9. Trek to the Duomo
10. Relax on one of the many beaches

February:
Poetry on the Lake
Poetry readings, workshops and discussions all around the lake area.
http://www.poetryonthelake.org/

June:
Cusius Festival of Early Music
An annual music festival, Cusius was the ancient times name for the town of Orta San Giulio. Venues include some of the old historic Villas.

July/August:
World Fireworks Championship
Firework manufacturers from four continents take part in this competition, demonstrating their pyrotechnic abilities and creativity, while spectators get to vote on the shows they think are most spectacular.

  Food and Drink

This region is famed for its sausages, including the classic Orta mortadella, which you can buy freshly made in the Orta S. Giulio shops.

One typical local dish is Tapulon, the gastronomic speciality of Borgomanero. Legend has it that this town, some 15 km from Orta San Giulio, was founded by 13 peasants from the southern Novarese area. The 13 were returning from a pilgrimage to the island of San Giulio, and they were traveling on a cart drawn by a donkey. One of the cart wheels broke, forcing them to halt their journey where the main square of Borgomanero is today. They decided to settle there and to celebrate the event they killed and cooked the donkey, creating the first tapulon in history. The women chopped up the meat very carefully, added some leftover wine and cooked it over a fire with garlic, salt and olive oil.

Beatriz's Spotlight on ……..

The Island of San Giulio is named after the Greek evangelist Giulio, who in the late fourth century, according to legend, got rid of the snakes and dragons that had overtaken the island. He then built a church and the people of the area converted to Christianity. Nowadays it is known as the “Island of Silence” because of the Benedictine monastery in the center. There is a short circular trail called “The Way of Silence” dotted along the way with signs like “If you can be yourself, you are everything” or “Listen to the water, the wind, your steps”. To get there, take a boat from Orta San Giulio, the timetable of which is determined by there being enough passengers on board.

   How to get there

Lago d’Orta is located in Piedmont, about 60 Km west of Milan

By plane: The closest airport is Malpensa (Milan) or Bergamo (Milan). Both airports have bus and/or train connections to the main Milan Central station.

By train: The railway Novara-Domodossola goes along the east shore of the lake. Orta Miasino train station is about 3 Km from the center of Orta San Giulio, tourist train ride to the center of town between March and October (one way €2 – round trip €3)

By car:
From Milan, take A8 Milano-Varese Como, then take the A26 Gravellona Toce, follow the signs to Orta San Giulio and park at Piazzale Prarondo.

From Turin, A4 Torino-Trieste, then A26 go to Gravellona Toce, follow the signs to Orta San Giulio and park at Piazzale Prarondo.

Text and Small Photo by Beatriz Macias