Miasino on Lake Orta: Churches, Villa Nigra and Easy Trails

Miasino between Lake Orta and woodland landscapes

Miasino is a hilltop village on the eastern shore of Lake Orta, surrounded by chestnut forests and green meadows. Easy trails run around the village through beech and chestnut forests as well as extensive meadows. Along the way, you can spot various bird species and deer. Exploring Miasino on foot therefore offers everything from observing nature to admiring individual architectural and artistic works.

Sacred art from several construction phases

The Church of San Rocco was built in 1566 on the remains of a Romanesque chapel and enlarged in 1627 based on a design by the Milanese architect Richini. Inside, you will find Baroque works as well as paintings by Giorgio Bonola, G. C. Procaccini, Giuseppe Zanatta and G. B. Cantalupi. San Rocco is freely accessible during religious celebrations.

The parish church of San Pietro was built in the 17th century based on a design by the architect Andrea Biffi, on the foundations of an earlier Romanesque church. Traces of its predecessor can be seen in the foundations of the leaning bell tower and in the semicircular apse. The furnishings include 18th-century frescoes by L. Rossetti and S. Bianchi, an icon by Scaramuzza, and paintings by Luigi Garzi and Giorgio Bonola.

San Gottardo began in the 16th century as a Baroque chapel and was completely redesigned in the following century based on a design by the architect Andrea Biffi. A choir fresco featuring a gallery of saints is attributed to Fermo Stella da Caravaggio. Every 25 years, on the day before the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in September, local residents carry the statue of the Crucifix in a procession to the parish church of San Gottardo; the following day, they solemnly return it to the Castello.

Oratories and Villa Nigra

The Oratorio di San Carlo was built at the beginning of the 17th century as a single-nave, quadrangular building with a columned portico and an arched façade. The Oratorio di Santa Maria was also built at the beginning of the 17th century in the center of Miasino; it features 20th-century decorations by Rinaldi.

Villa Nigra in the center of Miasino was built in the 16th century as an elegant country residence. It was enlarged in the Baroque style between 1680 and 1725, creating a building with a double loggia and a new wing. Villa Nigra is used for public art exhibitions, cultural events and concerts. Every edition of the Miasino Jazz Festival took place in the honor courtyard of Villa Nigra.

Archaeological traces and a botanical garden

An Iron Age tomb was discovered in the Campello area. It contained a terracotta vessel with a pre-Roman inscription in North Etruscan characters and in the language of the Lepontii.

Since 2018, the Giardino dei Semplici has featured information panels about the medicinal properties of the plants. Seating areas invite visitors to stay awhile and relax there.

More places to include in your travel plans

You can also include Orta San Giulio, Oleggio, Borgolavezzaro, Silvera, Invorio Inferiore, Casaleggio Novara, Cavallirio and Casalino in your travel plans.

For the higher-level travel overview: Novara.