Characteristics
Apartment, 2-7 plus person(s)
4 plus room(s) 2 plus bedroom(s)
Animals allowed, Baby high chair, Shower, Oven, Washing machine, Baby cot, Microwave, Car Park, Tennis, Television
Rental
Orta, Piedmont, Italy
Nearby activities
Shops between 3.1 miles and 18.6 miles, Horseriding, Golf, Fishing, Beach between 164 ft and 328 ft, Hiking
Further information
ORTA...A DREAM TO REMEMBER
In Orta San Giulio everything invites people to walk, cars cannot enter the centre, from the large granite flight of steps which goes down towards piazza Motta among two wings of frescoed sixteenth century houses, the cobbled paving of the lanes which opens into small quiet squares, the agile but austere Palace of the Community, the antique shops, the delicatessen sellers with their typical liver “mortadella”, the living meeting-places, to the famous tree lined “sitting-room square” from which one admires the magic island of San Giulio.
This is the ideal setting for good music festivals held in June and in September.
The island can be reached by motor-boat or rowing-boat.
There are places, like the berth of Villa Bossi, where you can really feel the verses of Guido Gozzano and understand where Bonfantini and Calderara found their inspiration.
Noises are far away.
On the top of the Orta promontory there is the Holy Mount consisting of twenty chapels in which are recreated some scenes from the life of San Francesco d’Assisi.
Jasmine and wisteria climb up to the steep roofs made of dark grey beola, a local slatelike stone.Laundry lines tangle with honeysuckle, an enormous blue hydrangeas blossom in every corner.
The effect is so pretty and gay that you are convinced this place is entchanted before you even reach the lake itself.
The French novelist Honorè de Balzac remembers passing through the Orta Lake area and mentions it in a well known book of his:
“Immagine a traveller, tired of the thousand gorgeous aspects of Brazil, Italy and the Indies; on his journey home he encounters a delightful lake, Orta, an island simple and graceful, primitive and cosy, solitary and wellequipped, stretching out on its quiet waters: grandeur and tumult are far away, proportions are man-sized once more.”
THE ISLAND OF SAN GIULIO: TO GET LOST BETWEEN WATER AND STONE
The Island of San Giulio is today a place of great misticism. Here was born on 962 William of Volpiano, during the siege to Queen Willa by Emperor Otto, King Berengario II's wife, who had taken the Island from the Bishop of Novara. The big central building was a Castle. The island was the governor 's seat that represented the bishop. On 1842 it was destroyed to build on it a seminary. Now there is a Benedictin monastery that helps giving more mistic power to a place that is by nature immersed in the silence. Between 1593 and 1615, a decisive role in the continuation of the project was played by the Bishop of Novara, Carlo Bescapè; he was concerned that the complex should be a strictly organised centre of devotion, in line with the ideas which had inspired the Council of Trento, and more particulary with the interpretation of the Counter-Reformation given by Carlo Borromeo in the diocese of Milanersed in the silence.
The Basilica of San Giulio was originally founded by St. Giulio in 390. During the siege of Otto 1st (956 - 962) the church was seriously damaged and only the central apse was saved. After year 962 the canons had the privilege on the territory of the Island signed by Otto the Great , so they dedicated themselves to the reconstruction of the church. The tower was added during the 11th - 12th century In the Basilica the frescoes were certainly begun very early, and re-done at various times. Of the datables the oldest frescoe is aged 1421. But the greatest work of art in the Basilica is the ambo. The pulpit is carved out of grey-green serpentine from the Oira quarry. The sculptures represent the Evangelists. The figure sculpted among the eagle and the lion is probably Guglielmo of Volpiano.
The elegant houses on the lake were the canon's residences: in 1763 each of them was called after a Saint to recognise them easily. During the month of June, in Villa Tallone takes place the Festival of Ancient Music. This prestigious event is organized by the Association "Amici della Musica" of Novara. During the Sundays of September take place the Piano Concerts of the "Settembre musicale di San Giulio".
ORTA’S SACRO MONTE : A JEWEL OF TREASURES
The Sacro Monte of Orta was began in 1590, in emulation of the Sacro Monte of Varallo, on the iniziative of the community of Orta, as a result of the direct intervention and generosity of the Abbot Amico Canobio of Novara, who encouraged the citizens to undertake the project, and had the first chapel built at his own expense. Other rich patrons were to follow his example.
Between 1593 and 1615, a decisive role in the continuation of the project was played by the Bishop of Novara, Carlo Bescapè; he was concerned that the complex should be a strictly organised centre of devotion, in line with the ideas which had inspired the Council of Trento, and more particulary with the interpretation of the Counter-Reformation given by Carlo Borromeo in the diocese of Milan.
For example, he took paints to ensure that the episodes of the life of St. Francis of Assisi - the chosen theme of the devotional itinerary - were correctly illustrated, and to encourage the faithful in devotion and the elevation of the spirit, inspecting every stage of the work in progress and giving precise instructions as to the scenes to be represented inside each chapel. Furthermore, he set up a body, the fabbriceria, a kind of committee of works, to administer the funds which were donated or willed towards the completation of the project. The overall plan of work, including the choice of the site of each chapel and the lay-out of the paths and the vegetation, was made by the Capuchin architect Cleto of Castelletto Ticino, who worked in close collaboration with Bishop Bescapè. The first chapels were thus executed with small, intimate groups of terracotta figures representing simple people, and decorated with frescoes whose key characteristic was their descriptive tone, intended as a clear, easily understandable way of recounting to the faithful the story of the Saint who had modelled his life on Christ's.
In each chapel, the terracotta groups were usually separeted from the space where the faithful stood by artistic wooden grills with opening through which the figures could be viewed. This period in the construction of the Sacro Monte saw the partecipation of respected established artists from Milan and Novara, such as the sculptor Cristoforo Prestinari, the painters Giovanni Battista and Giovanni Mauro della Rovere, known as the "Fiamminghini", Morazzone, and craftsmen who had worked on the sacro Monte of Varallo, such as the statuary Giovanni d'Enrico. Towards the middle of 17th century a new style was introduced into the Sacro Monte: unequivocally Baroque, grandiloquent, theatrical, characterised by more highly-coloured paintings, rounded figures, statues in dramatic poses Examples of this new taste are chapels XVI and XVII, which were again the work of artists established in Lombard culturel circles, such as the Nuvolone brothers, Antonio Busca, the sculptors Dionigi Bussola and Giuseppe Rusnati. Some of the already-completed chapels were not exempt from this striking new interpretation of the Sacro Monte as a kind of sacred theatre, and were remodelled accordingly.
Towards the end of 17th century, the Lombard painter Stefano Maria Legnani introduced early examples of the rococo style, which was to typify the additions of the 18th century: refined, airy, with colours softening into pale pastel shades.
Later additions and alterations, from the New chapel built towards the end of 18th century to the reworking of some existing chapels, adhere to the taste for the neo-classic then current. From the late 18th century the role of Bishop in controlling the Sacro Monte declined in importance until, along with the old fabbriceria, it ended at the beginning of this century, when the Burgh of Orta, with the help of the Franciscan friars who serve the sanctuary, took over the task of routine and exceptional maintenance of the complex.
In 1980, the Sacro Monte of Orta was by Regional law declared a protected area with the title of Special Natural Park.
NIETZSCHE IN ORTA
The shy, reserved German man of letters and philosopher Freiedriech Nietzsche changed upon Orta in 1882. During an excursion to Sacro Monte he fell hopelessly in love with Lou Salomé, the Russian poetess and his travelling companion. In the quiet of the wood “where the nightingalis sing” Nietzsche attempted an advance but the girl, surprised and intimated by the boldness of this then unknown man of letters, recoiled.
The poet was to suffer greatly from his first and only disappointment in love; he repeated “Sacro Monte...the most beautiful dream of my life”.
He then wrote “So spoke Zarathustra” and dated it “Von Orta an...” “From Orta onwards”.
He always remembered the force of the rustling of the leaves, the crunching of gravel beneath the soles, the nightingales singing joyfully around the chapels of St. Francis. But if you listen carefully you can hear the same chirping even in the middle of the lake, on the isle of San Giulio, “unique in its kind which immediately evokes marvel and admiration”
“CASA DEGLI ARCHI”
“Casa degli Archi”, a characteristic ancient palace, is set right in the center of Orta San Giulio on Via Bersani, one of the most typical streets (closed to traffic) of this town. Strolling along it you can enjoy the sight of many interesting medieval buildings, the most remarkable of which is the “Towerhouse” with its architectonic element dating back to 1306.
This building is just a few steps away from the lakeshore is very close the main square, Piazza Motta, nicknamed the “drawing-room” of Orta; the square is lined on three sides by old houses built over wide porticoes which shelter little shops and cafés. The fourth side overlooks the lake, offering a panoramic view of the island of San Giulio. Boats leave from here for visits to the island and other villages around the lake.
APARTMENT “BELLAVISTA”
This romantic flat (100 m²), located on a quiet and sunny spot, is on the top floor of the building (a lift in a XIV Century house would be out of place!), which was restored to an apartment complex. Tastefully furnished and made unique by the refined “mansard style” roof this flat conveys a feeling of warmth and romance.
The building is comfortably close to or within walking distance of restaurants, pubs and shops.
ON THE GROUND FLOOR THE APARTMENT OFFERS A LARGE LIVING ROOM WITH A DOUBLE SIZE SOFA BED AND DINING AREA – A KITCHEN (A 3- FLAME GAS BURNER + 1 ELECTRIC PLATE HOB) WITH OVEN AND A FULLY FURNISHED BATHROOM WITH SHOWER STALL.
A WOODEN STAIRCASE LEADS UP TO THE FIRST FLOOR WITH A DOUBLE BED MASTER BEDROOM, A TWIN BEDROOM AND A BATHROOM.
A COT IS ALSO AVAILABLE
FROM THE LARGE ARCADE WINDOWS, OVER THE ROOFTOPS, YOU CAN ENJOY A BREATHTAKING VIEW OF THE LAKE WITH PART OF THE ISLE OF SAN GIULIO AND THE MAJESTIC CHAIN OF THE ALPS.
GENERAL INFORMATIONS
The apartment is fully furnished and equipped with all accessories: pots and pans, dishes American coffee percolator, colour TV , Satellite TV – iron – cleaning accessories – vacuum cleaner.
Independent gas heating system.
Free beach and sunbathing facilities are available in the center of town (about 200 m. walking distance).
No parking is allowed within the town walls except for loading and unloading goods or luggage.
Paying car parks as well as free and paying parking lots are also available.
According to availability private Garage against payment (to book in advance).