Trip Planner:   Europe  /  Italy  /  Piedmont  /  Province of Novara  /  Orta San Giulio  /  San Giulio Island

San Giulio Island, Orta San Giulio

4.5

#2 of 82 in Nature in Piedmont

Water Body Nature / Park Must See

• ©
• ©
• ©
• © +7
• ©
• ©
• ©
• ©
• ©
• ©
• ©

The isolated beauty of San Giulio Island made the island an attractive spot for monastic orders to build their sanctuary. The centerpiece, a 12th-century basilica, stands as an icon to the mainland village and is open to the public. Next to the basilica, a 19th-century seminary functions as a Benedictine monastery. Parts of this building are closed to the public. Archaeological findings on the island date back to the fifth century, when a small chapel was erected to honor evangelizer Saint Julius. This notable saint spent his last days on the island, but he wasn't the only known figure associated with it. William of Volpiano, or St. William of Dijon, was born here. Put San Giulio Island into our Orta San Giulio driving holiday planning tool and find out what's close by, where to stay, and where to head next.

more less

Create an itinerary including San Giulio Island

Start planning

Unable to display map at this time. Please try again later.

© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors

San Giulio Island Reviews

Rate this attraction

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

1,585 reviews

Google

4.7

• By RominaRaso71

  Posto incantevole e rilassante. Consigliato per chi desidera eliminare ogni fonte di stress e di fastidio!  more »

  Lovely and relaxing place. Recommended for those who want to eliminate any source of stress and annoyance!
  View original
• By 1960guerino

  "sbarcati" all'isola San Giulio dopo brevissimo trasferimento da Orta sul calmo lago, si si effettua il giro isoletta, breve ma con angoli caratteristici; quindi il tempo è dedicato alla visita del mo...  more »

  "landed" to the island San Giulio after a very short transfer from Orta on the calm lake, you make the island tour, short but with characteristic angles; so time is dedicated to the visit of the monastery "Abbey Mater Eclesiae" of the Benedictine sisters where we meet with a group a young nun who talks about her happy experience of work and prayers that mark the day. At the end we enter the Basilica dedicated to St. Julius where at 11.00 we celebrate the holy Mass with the presence of the singing and prayer of the 78 nuns who live in the Abbey, certainly a religious and cultural experience to do, as well as tourist on a beautiful lake and surroundings. guerino and donatella with uncles
  View original

View more on TripAdvisor »

Google

• By Frederick Rountree

  A beautiful and small island. Go during the off-season for the full effect of the church and the other houses on the island. Plan to spend a least 2 hours here!

  more less
• By Wayne Boreham

  My favourite lake in the Alps, warm clean water, great for swimming, kayaking or just chilling at the water's edge. The lake does have a few public grass beaches in the Pella area these can be very hard to spot when on the move. Pella has a few small shops and restaurants the local tobacconist and coffee shop has sadly closed in recent years. It's best to bring your supplies with you. On the other side of the lake a San Guilio you can ride the boat trip to the island and visit the church and also take in the walk of silence, it's an amazing place!

  more less

View more on Google »

Places to stay near San Giulio Island

Plan your trip to Orta San Giulio

• Get a personalized plan

  A complete day-by-day itinerary
  based on your preferences

• Customize it

  Refine your plan. We'll find the
  best routes and schedules

• Book it

  Choose from the best hotels
  and activities. Up to 50% off

• Manage it

  Everything in one place.
  Everyone on the same page.