BISHOP PALACE

Opposite the pier (stop on request) you can also admire the facade of the Bishop’s Palace. This is, in fact, the embarkation point of the bishop/count of Novara for the usual visits to the Island of San Giulio. The building is now private and can not be visited inside. The façade is damaged, but the coats of arms are partly visible. Opposite is the small church of the Guardian Angels.

The visit of a Bishop to the Riviera d’Orta was not just any pastoral visit. The Bishop carried out, by ancient feudal right, a real Possessorio Entrance with a great political significance because it reaffirmed his power and demanded the taxes owed to him by the community and the private of the lake.

VIA FRANCISCA

The Via Francisca del Lucomagno was an ancient Roman route, historically documented, that from Constance, crossing Switzerland through the Lucomagno pass, reached Pavia and connected it with the Via Francigena towards Rome.

It even seems that historically the Way also allowed to reach the Way of Santiago de Compostela through a detour towards Vercelli and Arles, in France.

In the last few years a project has been developed to map the whole Via Francisca and then affix the right signage. The itineraries are through country roads, dirt roads or only partially paved, with some crossing of towns.

On our lake the most visible and important part is that of Lido di Gozzano. It is an old cobblestone, a little bumpy, but one perceives the ancient path.

THE ROAD OF THE REEDS

The road of the reeds is part of the walk from Orta to Pella, it is about 1 km or so.

The path is well maintained, there are wooden benches along the way and some waste baskets. You can admire the reeds, which are protected because some species of lake birds nest, on the left instead you will go along the whole park of Villa Jucker (30 hectares, one of the largest parks of the villas on Lake Orta).

When we find Cascina Fara on our right, on the left there is a path that goes up to the Church of the Madonna di Luzzara (for a small detour), it is a real jewel for its interior and exterior frescoes, probably dating between 1400 and 1500.