Considered as the hidden gem in the middle of the Italian lakes, Lake Orta, or Cusio, is among the most beautiful in Italy. It is located west of Lake Maggiore and many believe that it is among the most beautiful pre-Alpine lakes in Northern Italy, located entirely in Piedmont.
A WONDERFUL LAKE
To the east it has gentle slopes of the hills that separate it from Lake Maggiore and which culminate at 1491 meters of Monte Mottarone.
The western shores are instead more impervious and steep: the hills leave room here for the mountains of Valstrona and nearby Valsesia. In principle it is not very extensive. In fact, it seems to stretch from north to south for 13.4 km and with a maximum width of 2.5 km. The lake is located 290 m. above sea level and reaches a depth of 143 m. In the northern part where Omegna stands, its only emissary, the Nigoglia, passes curiously towards the North (unique case among the emissaries of the pre-Alpine lakes), where its waters will join those of the Toce to flow into Lake Maggiore.
HOLIDAY FROM SCREAM
Taking a vacation here is the wisest decision on lakes and do you know why? Because here the climate is mild, the coasts and the surroundings are very picturesque, rich in woods, crops, full of industrial and tourist activity. The villages overlooking the lake, generally rich in history, are today divided, from an administrative point of view, between the Province of Novara and the Province of the VCO, or of the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, headed by Verbania.
THE AREA AND COUNTRIES OF LAKE ORTA
Among the things on the spot there is certainly the village that over time has taken the place of the original name of the lake. The latter in fact, once called Cusio, as Cusio was, and still is, the area where it is located, now also and above all takes the name of Orta. Orta San Giulio, renowned and romantic holiday resort, is dominated behind by its Sacro Monte, with 20 chapels frescoed by Morazzone. Opposite is the Island of San Giulio, with the homonymous Basilica of the century. IV, rebuilt in the IX and XI centuries. The history of the area, its landscapes and its picturesque villages, sources of inspiration for writers, painters and directors, have not prevented these places from developing also initially artisan and then industrial traditions. Perhaps this is also why tourists love this area. We still hear about the “household district”, centered in the area of Omegna, at the northern end of Lake Orta, and the “tap district”, built between San Murizio d’Opaglio and Gozzano.
Notes on Lake Orta and its beauties
Considered as the hidden gem in the middle of the Italian lakes, Lake Orta, or Cusio, is among the most beautiful in Italy. It is located west of Lake Maggiore and many believe that it is among the most beautiful pre-Alpine lakes in Northern Italy, located entirely in Piedmont.
A WONDERFUL LAKE
To the east it has gentle slopes of the hills that separate it from Lake Maggiore and which culminate at 1491 meters of Monte Mottarone.
The western shores are instead more impervious and steep: the hills leave room here for the mountains of Valstrona and nearby Valsesia. In principle it is not very extensive. In fact, it seems to stretch from north to south for 13.4 km and with a maximum width of 2.5 km. The lake is located 290 m. above sea level and reaches a depth of 143 m. In the northern part where Omegna stands, its only emissary, the Nigoglia, passes curiously towards the North (unique case among the emissaries of the pre-Alpine lakes), where its waters will join those of the Toce to flow into Lake Maggiore.
HOLIDAY FROM SCREAM
Taking a vacation here is the wisest decision on lakes and do you know why? Because here the climate is mild, the coasts and the surroundings are very picturesque, rich in woods, crops, full of industrial and tourist activity. The villages overlooking the lake, generally rich in history, are today divided, from an administrative point of view, between the Province of Novara and the Province of the VCO, or of the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, headed by Verbania.
THE AREA AND COUNTRIES OF LAKE ORTA
Among the things on the spot there is certainly the village that over time has taken the place of the original name of the lake. The latter in fact, once called Cusio, as Cusio was, and still is, the area where it is located, now also and above all takes the name of Orta. Orta San Giulio, renowned and romantic holiday resort, is dominated behind by its Sacro Monte, with 20 chapels frescoed by Morazzone. Opposite is the Island of San Giulio, with the homonymous Basilica of the century. IV, rebuilt in the IX and XI centuries. The history of the area, its landscapes and its picturesque villages, sources of inspiration for writers, painters and directors, have not prevented these places from developing also initially artisan and then industrial traditions. Perhaps this is also why tourists love this area. We still hear about the “household district”, centered in the area of Omegna, at the northern end of Lake Orta, and the “tap district”, built between San Murizio d’Opaglio and Gozzano.
