Tour of Arona

                                           Description

The pleasant town of Arona lies on the western shore of lake Maggiore, south of Stresa.

The town centre is pedestrian and preserves many old churches, particularly the Collegiate of Santa Maria and the church of Saints Graziano and Felino - the patron saints of Arona - that were built very close to one another.

The former is beautifully decorated inside and can be recognized because of its yellow-painted facade that looks towards the old town. The latter church has its stone facade oriented in the opposite direction and is absolutely worth visiting. Consacrated in 1499, this Collegiate hides an important work of art that was painted in 1511 by a remarkable artist called Gaudenzio Ferrari.

Along the lake there's a nice promenade that offers nice views, while in the town centre are elegant buildings with nice shops, bars and restaurants.

A very old building known as the Broletto or Casa del Podestà can be found in Piazza del Popolo, a large square near the lake at the northen end of Arona. It's a well-preserved jewel dating back to the 15th century. In the hills of Arona there's an impressive statue that represents a catholic saint: Carlo - Charles - Borromeo, a cardinal and archbishop of Milan in the 16th century. This illustrious ancestor of the Borromeo family was born in the fortress of Arona in 1538. The ruins of this fortress are still visible not far from the colossal statue which is 23 meters high (35 meters if including the pedestal).