Oleggio Castello between Castello, archaeology and nature

Oleggio Castello combines a distinctive architectural heritage with historically and scenically interesting trails. At its heart is Castello di Oleggio Castello, a rare and coherent example of Neo-Gothic architecture. It is inspired by the English Gothic style of the 16th century and by Tudor Revival architecture. The spacious parkland surrounding the Castello features rare trees of botanical interest and offers views of the landscape around Lake Maggiore.

Architecture and history around the Lagoni

The interior furnishings of Castello di Oleggio Castello also have a distinctive cultural character: they reflect the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement shaped by William Morris. The Lagoni di Mercurago Nature Park offers another way to explore the area’s history and also includes Oleggio Castello. The park contains a prehistoric pile-dwelling settlement that was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012.

Tombs belonging to the Golasecca culture from the Iron Age were excavated near Motto Lagoni. They date from the 6th to the 5th century BC and are explained along the archaeological trail. This trail also includes a restored Roman cremation necropolis with 10 tombs, whose original structure remains recognizable. The Museo Archeologico is located in the vicinity of Oleggio Castello; the Museo Meina is also nearby.

Trails through woodland and parkland

Parco dei Lagoni di Mercurago can be reached from Oleggio Castello via Via Nicolini. Access is via the Sente' di Busch, which forms part of the cycle route. In the park, you can explore 30 kilometers of unpaved trails. According to the municipal description, the trails are suitable for all visitors and contain no difficult or excessively strenuous sections. This makes it possible to combine nature, exercise and traces of history in a comparatively varied park setting, without any single experience defining the character of the place.

For longer walks, a hilly route between Oleggio Castello and Gattico offers historical, ecological and scenic interest. It passes through the Bosco Solivo, Parco dei Lagoni di Mercurago and Valle dei Molini. Another route begins in Località Bergamino, runs through the forests of Parco dei Lagoni di Mercurago and then reaches the center of Oleggio Castello. The different routes make it possible to experience the area both through its landscape and through its connections with the surrounding trails.

Places to visit in the surrounding area

The area around Oleggio Castello also includes Rocca Borromeo fortress, the Statua di San Carlo Borromeo monument and Parco della Rocca Borromea. The beaches Spiaggia dei Caravalle and Spiaggia del Sasso Cavallazzo are located nearby. Further afield in the region is the Funivia del Sasso del Ferro viewpoint. The range of attractions therefore extends from archaeology and architecture to parkland, woodland trails, beaches and regional viewpoints.

Discover more places

If you would like to continue planning your trip in the same region, here are some more places: Colazza, Orta San Giulio, Lesa, Casalino, San Maurizio D'opaglio, Pella, Dormelletto and Ghemme.

To the main travel overview: Novara.