Isola San Giulio is a beautiful little island located on Lake Orta in the Northern Italian region of Piedmont. Perfectly picturesque, it is a wonderful sight that must be seen with your own eyes to be believed and paints an image similar to the famous island of Bled in Slovenia. If you have found a vacation rental in Piedmont, it is a must-see.
Rising out of the lake, the island is home to a cluster of historic religious buildings and houses, some of which are more than 1,000 years old. Legend tells the tale that the Isola San Giulio was once a bare rock that was exclusively populated by snakes and terrible monsters. This was the case until the year 390 AD, when San Giulio crossed the lake on his cloak, guided through a storm by his staff, and touched down on the island. He decided to settle and save the island and transformed it into a centre of evangelization that came to speak for, and guide, the surrounding area. The island took his name and religious buildings came to populate the outcrop.
Today, Isola San Giulio's Romanesque basilica, bishop’s palace and, a still functioning, Benedictine abbey dominate the island. Upon setting foot on the island, a short flight of steps lead you to the atmospheric 12th century basilica, which has become the island’s main attraction. This is not all there is to a visit to Isola San Giulio, however; it is a wonderful place to simply wander and take in its overall beauty, both natural and manmade. Pedestrian-friendly roads wind past historic buildings, classical music concerts often take place in the summer, the town is adorable and there is a pleasant restaurant with a terrace that looks out onto the lake, which makes for the perfect place to cap a day on the island or stop for refreshments, mid-exploration.
Boats leave from the port in Orta San Giulio daily and cost €4.50 for a return trip, making it an easy and cost-effective but utterly unforgettable place for a day trip. If you're looking for a unique day out, look no further than this scenic gem!
Today, Isola San Giulio's Romanesque basilica, bishop’s palace and, a still functioning, Benedictine abbey dominate the island. Upon setting foot on the island, a short flight of steps lead you to the atmospheric 12th century basilica, which has become the island’s main attraction. This is not all there is to a visit to Isola San Giulio, however; it is a wonderful place to simply wander and take in its overall beauty, both natural and manmade. Pedestrian-friendly roads wind past historic buildings, classical music concerts often take place in the summer, the town is adorable and there is a pleasant restaurant with a terrace that looks out onto the lake, which makes for the perfect place to cap a day on the island or stop for refreshments, mid-exploration.
Boats leave from the port in Orta San Giulio daily and cost €4.50 for a return trip, making it an easy and cost-effective but utterly unforgettable place for a day trip. If you're looking for a unique day out, look no further than this scenic gem!
Photo credit: Luca Casartelli / CC BY-SA 2.0