sacro monte di orta

After many visits to Orta we decided to walk to Sacro Monte which is a climb to remember but when you finally reach the peak you are rewarded by marvellous tranquility and the chapels in beautiful settings. Worthwhile!

A great way to spend a few hours walking round this heritage site. I haven't seen anything like it, a park containing many independent small chapels filled with sculpture and fresco. The climb up is a challenge but worth it for the view.

I have never, ever, seen anything like this. I had been told that there were chapels containing statues depicting scenes from the life of St Francis of Assisi on the hill of Sacro Monte, but was amazed to find twenty such chapels. Some of these were built in the 13th Century and the figures have to be seen to be believed. Well worth a visit, but be prepared for a steep climb on good paths to get there.

take a long walk around the site and have a closer look inside the numerous religious buildings and chaples. do not forget to take a picture of the lake and its beautiful island in the middle

Unlike other sacred mounts, Sacro Monte di Orta is dedicated to the life of St. Francis of Assisi. It was begun in the 1500s by a wealthy abbot who undertook the expense of building the first chapel on his own. Other wealthy patrons followed and there are now about 20, all in varying states of restoration. Inside the chapels, the events of St. Francis' life are played out in intricate frescoes and terracotta statues. The statues depict not just individuals, but are entire scenes populated by a wide cast of custom-made and painted characters to tell the story of the Saint's life. The figures are absolutely fascinating, and the view of Lake Orta and the mountains from the top is well worth the climb.

We paid a short visit to Orta with its quaint little streets and view on the lake. Then we walked up to the Sacred Mountain. It was a very pleasant surprise: a park with 23 little chapels and a church depicting the life of San Francesco. The site is unique and a UNESCO world heritage site. The walk up is a pleasure (15 to 20 mins) and the views from up on the mountain on the lake are wonderful. Less well known than Lago Magiore and the Isole Borromee but much more beautiful.

Myself and my wife (in our mid 40s) both felt like we had just climbed the north face of the Eiger once we finally reached the top. We are fit and active generally but this was tough. Be mindful it's a very steep climb to get to but worth the sweat tears and near divorce. The view from the top over the lake is very good. The ceilings are a thing of beauty.

The hike up is the high part. For those for whom this is a matter of faith - do go, I am sure you will find what you were looking for. For those looking for great art - it isn't here. I am not sure why it has the UNESCO designation other than it is considered a sacred spot - but that's ok. I did prefer the church on Isola San Guilio. It it is very hot you will need to bring your own water or Gatorade equivalent - we were lucky not too hot. The views from the top are great - you can even see through the trees onto Lago Maggiore. Ladies beware, the WC facilities are porcelain holes in the ground - so roll up the bottoms of your pants before using.

We walked to this wonderful place today and spent about two hours there. There are 20 different chapels all depicting the life of St Francis and even if you are not Catholic this wonderful place offers a situation where you can ponder and reflect on life. The gardens are wonderful and the view is amazing. This is well worth the walk up the hill from Orat San Guilio.

Although it rained this was the highlight of the trip. The church and chapels was spectacular as was the view.

Even our rainy day in Lake Orta couldn't dampen the delightful visit to the Sacro Monte di Orta. Above Orta San Giulio is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sacro Monte di San Francesco, one of the nine “sacred mountains” in northern Italy. It’s an steep but easy meditative walk uphill from Orta San Giulio to the complex which includes a series of 20 beautiful chapels built over two centuries full of papier-mâché figures under riotous rococo and baroque frescoes ceilings all dedicated to the life of St. Francis of Assisi. The tranquil wooded area provides wonderful views over the lake. It's completely free (although donations are welcome!) and you may wander in and out of the chapels at your own pace. Surprisingly there are many informational signs in three languages that were very helpful in explaining the chapels. My husband isn't religious but was enchanted by the area, it's beauty and the amazing frescoed ceilings. There is also a lovely Christmas crush/crib which lights up when you enter the room. When everything else is closed for the Italian long lunch hours this is always open and makes for a wonderful visit. There is parking for those who do not wish to walk up the hill.

I went for a pre-breakfast stroll in late December. Approaching from the village of Orta San Giulio was steep but not too long. There was no one else around and the woods were quiet : hoping to return for a more extensive visit in the not too distant future.

Worth at least a three hour visit. Splendid vista of the lake from on high; fascinating treasures inside many of the chapels. Get a picture of the St. Francis statue as you climb up to the entrance. Take a water bottle if its a hot day.

What an amazing place. We have visited twice on our way home through Italy as there is a place for 8 campervans to overnight just below it. There is a magical quality to the chapels with their life-size painted figures and frescoes. It is just amazing to think that all of them were made between the 16th and 18th centuries ... and they still survive and in reasonably good condition even though they are open to the air during the day. Too bad the wonderful old 19th century souvenir and coffee shop isn't restored to its former glory. The drinks machines are a sad 21st century intrusion. Don't miss the wonderful Christmas crib next to the church. A real Italian tradition. Wonderful trees and foliage and a great viewpoint over the lake and island. All well worth a visit.

Staying at Hotel Aracoeli in Orta San Giulio we knew we had to do something to earn those spectacular breakfasts, so made the start of each day a trek up Strada del Sacro Monte to the Holy Mount itself. What an awesome place - 21 chapels, hundreds of frescoes and statues, mostly telling of the life of St Francis, all in an ancient park of beautiful trees. To think that most of this was conceived and built in the 1600s, and that it has been so faithfully maintained right down to today. Painted signposts, showing fingers protruding from a monk's habit point the way, guiding you from chapel to chapel.Perhaps it's the steep initial climb, but there never seemed to be anyone there ... just you, me, St Francis and the occasional squirrel.You can retrace your steps, or descend the other side of Sacro Monte and find the lakeside path back around the point to Orta San Giulio, with beautiful views all the way.