Arona on Lake Maggiore: History, Nature and Trails

Arona on Lake Maggiore between history and nature

Arona lies on the Piedmontese shore of Lake Maggiore. You can explore the town through several clearly distinct interests: historic sites and sacred art stand alongside protected wetlands and paths for walks or cycling excursions. This combination offers various possibilities for planning your trip without mixing up the different locations and their respective features.

Historic sites with their own character

Rocca Borromea di Arona was founded shortly before the year 1000 under Lombard control. Built for defensive purposes, the site offers a view of Lake Maggiore. The main entrance to Rocca Borromea is also easily accessible to people with disabilities. This makes the site a place where a long history meets explicitly described accessibility at the main entrance.

Another historic highlight is Sancarlone. It was completed in 1698. Visitors can climb to the top; the ascent leads via a spiral staircase and steep vertical stairs. If you plan this visit, you can take the specific nature of the ascent into account when organizing your day.

Arona's cultural heritage also includes the Chiesa dei Santi Martiri o di San Graziano. Its choir contains an altarpiece, created around 1488, depicting the enthroned Madonna with Saints by Ambrogio da Fossano (Bergognone). A separate historical trace is the Festa del “Tredicino”: this annual tradition originated with the return of the mortal remains of Saint Fedele to Arona on March 13, 1576.

Wetlands, woodland and paths in Parco dei Lagoni

Parco Naturale dei Lagoni di Mercurago complements these historic themes with a diverse landscape. The area has been protected since 1980 and includes a peat bog, pastures for breeding thoroughbred horses and a wooded area. Its wetlands are of particular importance for wildlife and for rare aquatic and marsh plants.

Since 2012, the park has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps as a prehistoric pile-dwelling site. At the same time, it is crisscrossed by a dense network of paths along which you can explore and extensively traverse the park.

Walking and cycling along the lakeshore

A path for pedestrians and cyclists runs along the shore of Lake Maggiore from Corso Europa. It is closed to motor vehicles and equipped with benches for resting and enjoying the panorama. For planning your day, this stretch offers an opportunity to combine exercise along the lakeshore with breaks and views of the landscape.

When choosing your hotel, you can first decide whether your stay should focus more on Rocca, Sancarlone, the church and festival tradition, or on the nature park, lakeside path and wetlands.

Other places in the travel area: Lagna, Fontaneto D'agogna, Oleggio Castello, Pettenasco, Baraggia, Nebbiuno, Bellinzago Novarese, Novara.

Back to the main travel overview: Novara.