Sacro Monte di Orta
Sacro Monte di Orta
4.5
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 6:30 PM
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107 within 5 kms
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150 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Chuck TPinetop-Lakeside, Arizona3 contributionsOur Guide at Sacro Monti di OrtaWhile spending a wonderful week of our Italian vacation at San Giulio, my wife and I visited Sacro Monte di Orta. We had the good fortune of meeting Vittorio Valenta who was our guide. The beautiful theater of the Sacro Monti was brought to life by Vittorio who with his love of the chapels and extensive knowledge made the amazing visual experience not only come to life but also highly educational. If you visit, ask for Vittorio and enjoy his knowledge and infectious enthusiasm for this Sacro Monti. Chuck & Sharon - Pinetop Arizona USAVisited September 2023Travelled with familyWritten 12 October 2023
- Tamassy N1 contributionBeautiful place, kind peopleThe location is perfect, the view is spectacular. When you come out of the church of San Nicolao the whole Lake spreads out in front of you. There is an opportunity to join a mass as well in the above mentioned beautiful church. You can also take part in a guided tour where you can learn fascinating stories about the chapels depicting the life of Saint Francis. Both the Franciscan monks and the tour guide are very friendly and welcoming. Ideal place to recharge your batteries.Visited September 2023Travelled soloWritten 21 October 2023
- Spectacle64Yorkshire, United Kingdom495 contributionsReligion and landscape follies combine!Amazing place to explore. Did not know what to expect as we walked up the steep hill from the town. You do not have to be religious to enjoy this place. Think of it as a landscape park full of classical follies - I did. Great views across the lake as well. Highly recommended.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 June 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,130 reviews
Excellent
653
Very good
396
Average
74
Poor
5
Terrible
2
Terry M
4 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
This was a wonderful experience. Victor,who was attending the information desk made it so. His knowledge of the churches, the historical context and the art and theatre of site, combined with an obvious passion for it and for sharing it, gave us an appreciation for this that we would otherwise have missed. For anyone with an interest in European history, history of the reformation and counter reformation or the place and development of artistic expression in Italian culture, this site is a gem. Thank you, Victor.
Written 1 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tamassy N
1 contribution
Sept 2023 • Solo
The location is perfect, the view is spectacular. When you come out of the church of San Nicolao the whole Lake spreads out in front of you. There is an opportunity to join a mass as well in the above mentioned beautiful church.
You can also take part in a guided tour where you can learn fascinating stories about the chapels depicting the life of Saint Francis.
Both the Franciscan monks and the tour guide are very friendly and welcoming.
Ideal place to recharge your batteries.
You can also take part in a guided tour where you can learn fascinating stories about the chapels depicting the life of Saint Francis.
Both the Franciscan monks and the tour guide are very friendly and welcoming.
Ideal place to recharge your batteries.
Written 21 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colin P
3 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Amazing experience following the life of St Francis of Assisi through the chapels on the Sacra Monte do Orta. Terrific guided tour which gave the background to the buildings and statues and frescoes. As well as the history of the whole design from the late 16th century through the 17th. Worth a long visit. For the guided tour go to the information s kiosk.
Written 31 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Spectacle64
Yorkshire, UK495 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Amazing place to explore. Did not know what to expect as we walked up the steep hill from the town. You do not have to be religious to enjoy this place. Think of it as a landscape park full of classical follies - I did. Great views across the lake as well. Highly recommended.
Written 5 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnnArborMHT
Genoa, Italy1,648 contributions
Mar 2014 • Couples
Even our rainy day in Lake Orta couldn't dampen the delightful visit to the Sacro Monte di Orta. Above Orta San Giulio is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sacro Monte di San Francesco, one of the nine “sacred mountains” in northern Italy. It’s an steep but easy meditative walk uphill from Orta San Giulio to the complex which includes a series of 20 beautiful chapels built over two centuries full of papier-mâché figures under riotous rococo and baroque frescoes ceilings all dedicated to the life of St. Francis of Assisi. The tranquil wooded area provides wonderful views over the lake. It's completely free (although donations are welcome!) and you may wander in and out of the chapels at your own pace. Surprisingly there are many informational signs in three languages that were very helpful in explaining the chapels. My husband isn't religious but was enchanted by the area, it's beauty and the amazing frescoed ceilings. There is also a lovely Christmas crush/crib which lights up when you enter the room. When everything else is closed for the Italian long lunch hours this is always open and makes for a wonderful visit. There is parking for those who do not wish to walk up the hill.
Written 9 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Byablu
Sydney, Australia128 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
I’m particularly motivated to post a review of this quite unique cluster of twenty hilltop chapels and a church, since one or two past posts are somewhat misleading.
Firstly the walk up. If you are staying in Orta itself, the walk up to the chapels does not take long. From Orta’s Piazza Motta, walk away from the lake, uphill to the town’s main church, Chiesa dell’Assunta, then turn right at the church into the barrow Via Gemelli and walk up the cobbled path before you that, somewhat curiously, is signposted to the cemetery but not Sacro Monte. Walk up the hill and keep on the path as it bends left at the cemetery. We timed it yesterday in poor weather conditions, when we had to take extra care as in places the cobblestones were wet and a little slippery. From the lake to the first chapel took 18 minutes.
Secondly, at the top there are two good panoramic points, plus open toilets. But yesterday the cafe was all closed up. So on a hot day, take water.
Thirdly you can most certainly enjoy and appreciate the chapels’ wonderful tableaux without the aid of guide-books or information leaflets, although just inside the entrance to the complex there is a small information room containing a rack with free (donation requested) leaflets in different languages. But even these are not essential, as each Chapel has its own information board, (in Italian, English and German, but not French - an odd omission), and we found the information on them easy to follow and not overlong.
Started at the end of the 1500s and created over more than a century, the integrated statues and frescoes within the chapels are amazing, and are executed in various styles, some amazingly lifelike and some more stylised. All rely on natural light, so we did find a small number of the tableaux a little challenging to discern. All are railed-off, but the intricate ironwork designs of the grilles are mostly large enough to allow a clear view through for a camera lens. With an SLR you can get amazing photos, without resorting to flash, using manual focusing and an ISO setting around 1200.
The devotional complex of Sacro Monte is a unique place, in a beautiful tranquil woodland setting. Just walking from Chapel to Chapel surrounded by birdsong is an enchanting experience in itself. It deserves to be much better known. As previous reviewers have said, if you really want to appreciate what Sacro Monte has to offer, allow for at least two hours at the top, plus walk up/down time.
Enjoy!
Firstly the walk up. If you are staying in Orta itself, the walk up to the chapels does not take long. From Orta’s Piazza Motta, walk away from the lake, uphill to the town’s main church, Chiesa dell’Assunta, then turn right at the church into the barrow Via Gemelli and walk up the cobbled path before you that, somewhat curiously, is signposted to the cemetery but not Sacro Monte. Walk up the hill and keep on the path as it bends left at the cemetery. We timed it yesterday in poor weather conditions, when we had to take extra care as in places the cobblestones were wet and a little slippery. From the lake to the first chapel took 18 minutes.
Secondly, at the top there are two good panoramic points, plus open toilets. But yesterday the cafe was all closed up. So on a hot day, take water.
Thirdly you can most certainly enjoy and appreciate the chapels’ wonderful tableaux without the aid of guide-books or information leaflets, although just inside the entrance to the complex there is a small information room containing a rack with free (donation requested) leaflets in different languages. But even these are not essential, as each Chapel has its own information board, (in Italian, English and German, but not French - an odd omission), and we found the information on them easy to follow and not overlong.
Started at the end of the 1500s and created over more than a century, the integrated statues and frescoes within the chapels are amazing, and are executed in various styles, some amazingly lifelike and some more stylised. All rely on natural light, so we did find a small number of the tableaux a little challenging to discern. All are railed-off, but the intricate ironwork designs of the grilles are mostly large enough to allow a clear view through for a camera lens. With an SLR you can get amazing photos, without resorting to flash, using manual focusing and an ISO setting around 1200.
The devotional complex of Sacro Monte is a unique place, in a beautiful tranquil woodland setting. Just walking from Chapel to Chapel surrounded by birdsong is an enchanting experience in itself. It deserves to be much better known. As previous reviewers have said, if you really want to appreciate what Sacro Monte has to offer, allow for at least two hours at the top, plus walk up/down time.
Enjoy!
Written 10 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janet S
Norfolk, VA54 contributions
Jul 2014 • Solo
Unlike other sacred mounts, Sacro Monte di Orta is dedicated to the life of St. Francis of Assisi. It was begun in the 1500s by a wealthy abbot who undertook the expense of building the first chapel on his own. Other wealthy patrons followed and there are now about 20, all in varying states of restoration. Inside the chapels, the events of St. Francis' life are played out in intricate frescoes and terracotta statues. The statues depict not just individuals, but are entire scenes populated by a wide cast of custom-made and painted characters to tell the story of the Saint's life. The figures are absolutely fascinating, and the view of Lake Orta and the mountains from the top is well worth the climb.
Written 28 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Team Rutherford
Glasgow, UK213 contributions
Mar 2017
Quite a tiring walk up a largely cobbled hill, But definitely worth the Effort when you get there!
Lots of historic mini cathedrals at the top and breathtaking views to boot!
Recommend
Lots of historic mini cathedrals at the top and breathtaking views to boot!
Recommend
Written 6 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DrJHBickel
Evergreen, CO85 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
A tour guide recommended the walk up to Sacro Monte di Orta. The site is reached up a steep cobblestone walkway past the Parrish Church. The top is a series of chapels with statues describing the life of St Francis and the founding of the Franciscan Order. I walked the circle of chapels and found them colorful. There is an overlook point with spectacular views of Lake Orta, the island of San Giulio, and the Sanctuario of Madonna della Sasso high above the village of Pella (across the lake).
Written 27 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lesley Consani
Zurich, Switzerland1,357 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
This is an exceptional world heritage site set in magnificent gardens containing 20 chapels dedicated to the life of Saint Francis with frescoes and statues dating back to the late 1500s and early 1600s.
You don't need to be religious to enjoy the history, art and the beautiful gardens. The views over the lake are worth stopping for too!
You don't need to be religious to enjoy the history, art and the beautiful gardens. The views over the lake are worth stopping for too!
Written 23 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Credo di si ne ho visto in giro è un parco come gli altri l'importante e non lasciare ricordini
Buona passeggiata
Written 17 June 2019
Si può accedere all'Isola in questo periodo e qualcuno conosce il costo del passaggio in battello o motoscafo?
Written 17 February 2019
Combien de temps faut il à pieds pour monter du village d'Orta au Mont Sacré?
Merci
Written 10 August 2017
Si ne ho visti....non ci dovrebbero essere problemi
Written 16 April 2016
Carolyn H
Irving, Texas
Are there any overnight or longer accommodations on the island?
Written 25 February 2015
Sull'Isola difficilmente si trovano soluzioni per pernottare. Al contrario tutte le localita' che costeggiano il lago hanno ampie possibilita' di pernottamento. I luoghi piu' vicini all'Isola sono Orta San Giulio e Pella. Tra i due borghi, in linea d'aria, ci sono circa km. 2 e l'isola si trova a meta' ed e' comodamente raggiungibile o con il battello di linea o con le imbarcazioni gestite dai motoscafisti. Il consiglio e' di cercare b/b tipo esempio "La Corte di Alzo", ottima struttura gestita con alta professionalita'.
Written 20 April 2015
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