At the heart of Lago d’Orta (Lake Orta) lies the Isola di San Giulio (Island of San Giulio), a place of deep spirituality and extraordinary atmosphere. At its centre stands the Basilica of San Giulio, a true treasure chest of art, history and faith. According to tradition, the church was founded in the 4th century by San Giulio. A Greek missionary who evangelized the Novara region with Brother Giluliano, building one hundred churches. Legend says he crossed the lake on his cloak, driven by the wind, to free the island from dragons and serpents; symbols of paganism; and here he built his most important church.
The current building, dating from the Romanesque period between the 9th and 12th centuries, welcomes visitors in a quiet and contemplative atmosphere. The interior columns, all different from one another, come from ancient structures and testify to the site’s long historical layering. Of particular note is the pulpit in Oira serpentine stone, crafted in the 12th century; a finely sculpted pulpit, a masterpiece depicting the Evangelists and plant motifs, considered one of the greatest works or Romanesque sculpture in Italy.
The interior, with three naves, is enriched by medieval and Baroque frescoes that narrate centuries of devotion. In the crypt, the Saint’s body rests in a silver urn, within an intimate and solemn space. Outside, the island’s silence is almost unreal; only the sound of water and, occasionally, the voices of the Benedictine nuns of the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, who live in the former seminary, dedicated to prayer and study.
A place beyond time, where art and spirituality merge into an experience that leaves a lasting impression.