In the middle of a peaceful lake in Piedmont, surrounded by mountains and small villages reflected in the water, there is an island so compact that it can be explored in less than an hour. Yet its history stretches back for centuries, mixing Romanesque architecture, ancient legends, religious devotion and an atmosphere of almost complete silence. This is San Giulio Island, the only island in Lake Orta and one of the most enchanting places in northern Italy.
The island lies a short distance from Orta San Giulio, a beautiful village in the province of Novara. Boats regularly cross the narrow stretch of water separating Piazza Motta from the island, making the journey short but memorable. As the boat approaches, the bell tower of the Basilica of San Giulio rises above a closely packed collection of stone roofs, historic houses and monastic buildings.
San Giulio Island is approximately 275 metres long and 140 metres wide. Despite its small size, almost every corner contains a piece of history. Its most important monuments are the Basilica of San Giulio and the Mater Ecclesiae Abbey, housed in the enormous former episcopal seminary that dominates the island.
According to tradition, the island was once an inhospitable place infested with snakes, dragons and other terrifying creatures. In the late fourth century, Saint Julius of Novara wanted to reach it but could find no boatman willing to take him there. The saint supposedly laid his cloak upon the surface of the lake, used it as a boat and crossed the water alone. Once on the island, he drove away the monsters and built his hundredth and final church.
The story naturally belongs to legend rather than documented history. The dragons and serpents are often interpreted as symbols of paganism, while the arrival of Saint Julius represents the Christianisation of the region. Nevertheless, the image of a saint sailing across the lake on his cloak has remained inseparable from the identity of the island.
The present Basilica of San Giulio is primarily a Romanesque building dating from the twelfth century, although it stands on the remains of much older places of worship. Its austere stone exterior contrasts with an interior filled with frescoes, sculptural details and centuries of religious history. The basilica contains the remains of Saint Julius and is considered one of the most important Romanesque monuments in the Novara area.
Beside the basilica stands the immense former seminary, constructed during the nineteenth century on the ruins of the island’s ancient fortified castle. Today, the building houses the Mater Ecclesiae Abbey and a community of cloistered Benedictine nuns. Their presence has helped preserve the deeply contemplative character of the island.
The nuns are known for their life of prayer and study, as well as for the restoration of ancient textiles and religious vestments. Although the monastery itself is not open like an ordinary tourist attraction, its quiet presence can be felt throughout the island.
The main pedestrian route is known as the Way of Silence. It runs around the perimeter of the island, passing old houses, narrow passages, stone walls and small openings overlooking the lake. Along the route, visitors encounter signs carrying short reflections about silence, listening and inner peace.
Walking in the opposite direction, the same route becomes the Way of Meditation. The words change, but the invitation remains similar: slow down, observe and temporarily leave behind the noise of everyday life. It is an unusual experience in a country whose most famous attractions are often crowded and hurried.
There are no busy roads on the island and no large commercial district. Its beauty lies in the absence of spectacle. A doorway opening onto the lake, a weathered wall, the echo of footsteps in a narrow lane or the sound of a distant bell becomes part of the experience.
Across the water, the village of Orta San Giulio completes the landscape. Its historic centre is a maze of cobbled streets, elegant buildings and small squares descending towards the lake. Piazza Motta, facing the island, is the village’s natural meeting point and the departure place for most boat services.
Above the village stands the Sacro Monte of Orta, a religious complex dedicated to the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. Its chapels, woodland paths and panoramic views add another dimension to a visit to the area. Together, the village, the island and the Sacro Monte create one of Piedmont’s most remarkable historic landscapes.
Lake Orta is smaller and less internationally famous than nearby Lake Maggiore or Lake Como. That relative anonymity has helped it preserve a more intimate atmosphere. Visitors do not come here for vast resorts or grand displays of luxury. They come for still water, old stone villages, mountain views and a slower rhythm.
San Giulio Island represents this character perfectly. It is not an abandoned medieval settlement, as some online descriptions suggest, nor is it an imaginary fairytale kingdom. It is a living religious place containing a basilica, an active Benedictine monastery, historic residences and a small number of private homes.
Its appearance may seem almost unreal, especially when morning mist or evening light softens the line between the island and the water. Yet its fascination does not depend on fantasy. The true story—made of saints, fortifications, churches, monks, nuns and centuries of human presence—is already extraordinary enough.
Perhaps that is the real secret of San Giulio Island. It does not demand attention with enormous monuments or noisy attractions. It simply waits in the middle of the lake, surrounded by mountains, reminding visitors that some of Italy’s most powerful places are also its quietest.