Lake Orta

Orta lake (or Cusio) takes name from the main village of Orta San Giulio. It is located in Lombardia, a region in northern Italy. Orta is close to Lake Maggiore: it takes an hour by car to reach the eastern shore. It is very small, but smart. It is a prealpine lake: it took origin from Sempione glacier. In the middle there is San Giulio Island. You can pass through the houses walking through the Silent Way. Here there is an old basilica with the Saint spoils. From Sacro Monte of Orta you have a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape: this mount is a green area rich in history, culture and nature. Twenty chapels were built here to tell the story of Saint Francis of Assisi. A romantic path joins the top with the village below. As Lake Maggiore the climate is mild, very similar to the Mediterranean one: the many small beaches all around the shores offer the chance to catch tan and take a bath in the clear water of the lake. There are also images taken during the journey from Lake Maggiore to Lake Orta: San Giuliano basilica is an old church built at the top of a hill overlooking Gozzano village: It was partly rebuilt in the XVIII century, though you can appreciate the Romanic style in the stone towers.

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