Verbano from Piedmont is a territory ofPiedmontese Alps, between the provinces of Novara and del Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.
To know
Geographical notes
The Piedmontese Verbano develops along the western shore of the Lake Maggiore. Its beautiful welcoming cities have for centuries been the favorite destinations of Grand Tour, and still welcome visitors with romantic historic centers to visit and elegant walks along the lake. In the northern part, localities such as Verbania is Cannobio, while in the southern part, called Vergante, there are places such as Arona is Stresa in addition to the picturesque Borromean islandsIn addition to the most popular centers along the shore of the lake, the Verbano does not fail to offer many pleasant mountain resorts: Colazza, Invorio, Gignese, Premeno. The green heart of Verbano corresponds to Val Grande National Park. It is considered the area wilderness largest in Italy, since it has remained totally uncontaminated and nature has been able to follow its course since there is no inhabited center inside it.
When to go
The perfect season to enjoy the lake and its reliefs is spring when the temperatures are not too sultry.
Background
In the medieval period, the territory of the lake saw the birth of numerous churches along its banks. The Torriani and the Visconti fought over these lands. Finally, the star of the Borromeo came out and became the most important family in the area, while the Swiss ruled it to the north.
The Savoys have controlled the western shore since the eighteenth century, when the eastern one enters the Austrian dominions. With the Unification, the lake experienced a new dimension in the nineteenth century with the development of elite tourism and a consequent large increase in the number of villas, parks and hotels. The following century also opens up to mass tourism, when the lake takes advantage of the ease of communication following the construction of the Laghi motorway which allows Milan and to its immense conurbation to consider the Verbano a classic destination for trips out of town during the weekend.
Spoken languages
In the Piedmontese Verbano, due to the close relationship with the Lombard shore, a western Lombard dialect is spoken.
Territories and tourist destinations
Verbano piemontese: full screen map.Urban centers
- 1 Arona (Aron-a in Piedmontese, Aruna in Lombard) - on the shore of the lake it is dominated by the Colossus of San Carlo Borromeo.
- 2 Baveno (Bavèn in Piedmontese and Lombard) - from its lakefront you can enjoy a spacious and amazing view up to Laveno (IT GOES). Its stately villas hosted great figures of the European nobility, first of all Queen Victoria.
- 3 Bee (Bé in Piedmontese, Bee in Lombard) - the architectural typologies are of interest, ranging from the classic mountain houses of the ancient village, enclosed around the characteristic Piazzetta Belvedere, to the large liberty-style villas Altieri and Farinet placed further outside , up to the Neo-Castle-style building of the summer home of the German Würer brewers, ending in the extraordinary originality of Villa Castiglioni.
- 4 Cannero Riviera (Càner in the local western Lombard dialect) - on the bank of the Lake Maggiore, surrounded by luxuriant vegetation, sees on its southern horizon, on the opposite shore, Not him (IT GOES). Of interest is the church of San Giorgio, with the relics of San Fausto martyr, transferred from the catacombs of San Callisto in Rome.
- 5 Cannobio (Canöbi in the local western Lombard dialect) - on the bank of the Lake Maggiore, also preserves medieval elements in its architectural heritage. The Cannobina valley behind it puts it in communication with the Vigezzo valley. Cannobio is the favorite market of the Locarnese due to its proximity to Switzerland. Of interest are its well-kept lakefront, its medieval village and the castles of Cannero.
- 6 Colazza (Colassa in Piedmontese, Colazza in Lombard) - The church of the Blessed Immaculate Virgin is of interest.
- 7 Cossogno (Cosseugn in Piedmontese, Cussögn in Lombard) - Of interest are the building of the tavern and the church with its bell tower. It is the best known entrance to the Val Grande National Park.
- 8 Ghiffa (Ghifa in the local western Lombard dialect) - on the bank of the Lake Maggiore. Of interest are the museum of the history of the hat and the sacred mountain of Ghiffa (UNESCO World Heritage List) which is located in a splendid panoramic position, along the wooded slopes of Mount Cargiago, with a wonderful view of the lake.
- 9 Gignese (Gignés in Piedmontese and Lombard) - halfway between Stresa and Mottarone. Of interest are the Umbrella and Parasole museum and the Alpinia botanical garden founded in 1934.
- 10 Gurro (Gür in Piedmontese and Ossola dialect) - in the Cannobina Valley. Known for its narrow streets and ancient houses built in a mountain style that is not found in any other village in the valley.
- 11 Injured (Lesa in Piedmontese and Lombard) - On the shores of the lake, the Manzonian Museum is of interest.
- 12 Massino Visconti (Massin in Piedmontese and Lombard) - The Visconti di San Vito castle is of interest.
- 13 Meina (Mèina in Piedmontese and Lombard) - On the shores of the lake, the town is full of elegant villas such as Villa Faraggiana.
- 14 Miazzina (Mugin-a in Piedmontese) - Of interest is its church of Santa Lucia. Part of its territory is included in the Val Grande National Park with the interesting tourist destination of the Curgei refuge in Miazzina.
- 15 Nebbiuno - The Parish Church of San Giorgio is of interest.
- 16 Pisano (Pisan in Piedmontese) - Sass del Diavùl is of interest, where numerous village festivals were celebrated, and an excursion destination for the locals. It becomes a symbol of superstition by the faithful to the point of prompting the church to imprint it with a Christian cross.
- 17 Premeno (Premén in Piedmontese and Lombard) - Of interest is the water source with the plaque in memory of Garibaldi.
- 18 San Bernardino Verbano (San Bernardin Verban in Piedmontese) - Churches in the hamlets and the small lake of Santino are of interest. Part of its territory is included in the Val Grande National Park.
- 19 Stresa - on the bank of the Lake Maggiore, its elegant lakefront full of villas and hotels testifies to its ancient tourist vocation that has its roots in the distant eighteenth century. It is certainly the most refined and best known location on Lake Maggiore.
- 20 Verbania - on the bank of the Lake Maggiore is the capital of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. The city was born from the union of the historic centers of Intra and Pallanza. However, there are still two parts with different nature: more suggestive, with medieval atmospheres, Pallanza; more modern, with an industrial past, an important port of call on the lake, Intra.
Other destinations
- Borromean Islands
- Natural Park of the Sacro Monte di Ghiffa
- Val Grande National Park - Extensive natural park, considered the wildest in Europe, which hides spectacles of unspoiled nature among its steep ridges.
How to get
By plane
The nearest airport is Milan Malpensa.
By car
- A26 motorway: from Genoa direction Gravellona Toce. Exit from Arona to Verbania.
- A8 motorway: from Milan direction Varese. Gallarate-Gattico branch, entrance to A26. Exit from Arona to Verbania.
- Main road 13 (CH): from Locarno direction Verbania - Piaggio Valmara state border.
Ferries from the Lombard side of the Lake Maggiore on the site navigation lakes.
On the train
With the line Domodossola - Milan, you can reach the main localities of Verbano from Arona to Verbania
How to get around
By car
The main road that runs along the lakefront is, in the northern part, the state road 34 of Lake Maggiore, while in the southern part the state road 33 of the Simplon.
By bus
In northern Verbano there is a bus service that reaches all the towns, including internal ones (timetables on the website VCO transport). In the Vergante, the service is entrusted to Pirazzi autoservizi
What see
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- Umbrella and Parasol Museum, Viale Golf Panorama n. 2 bis (Gignese). A unique museum in Italy which, through a vast collection of umbrellas, traces the history of umbrella and parasol fashion.
- Sacro Monte of Arona. Dedicated to San Carlo Borromeo, it is located on a hill behind the city of Arona.
- Botanical gardens of Villa Taranto. Vast garden that develops around Villa Taranto, seat of the province, where more than a thousand specimens of native and exotic species are collected.
- Park of the Villa Pallavicino. Wildlife park that hosts more than 40 species of animals, located around the splendid nineteenth-century villa.
Itineraries
- From Nebbiuno to Fosseno: simple walk on a mule track between two villages of Vergante.
- Tour of the Arbujera Motto: circular tour in the woods of the Arbujera Motto (departure Colazza)
What to do
- Lake Maggiore zipline, Aurano, ☎ 39 333 9467147. For those who want to experience strong emotions a zipline that will make you fly over the wonderful Intrasca valley comfortably harnessed to a pulley.
- Colossus of San Carlo Borromeo (San Carlone), Arona. 35 meters high, it towers above the city of Arona. It is possible to climb inside until it reaches its nostrils.
- . Ferry service that can make you admire the beauties of Verbano directly from the lake.
- Stresa-Mottarone cable car. Cable car that from the shore of the lake reaches the top of Mottarone where you can admire a 360 ° panorama.
