02.21.06
Arona Lake Maggiore. Places to visit
Arona Lake Maggiore. Places to visit
Arona on lake Maggiore is today an important railway, road and lake port. Surrounded by history the town can be traced back to its days as a Roman resort. During the Middle Age it was the demain of the Visconti family and later, from 1439 to 1797 of the Borromeo family. During the 13th century a castle was built high on the Rocca, which has a sheer drop down to the lake. It was the home of St Carlo Borromeo (1538-84), whose huge brass and bronze statue rises behind the town. You can climb inside the hollow structure and admire the view through the Saint’s eyes.
St Charles Borromeo was Archbishop of Milan, Cardinal Priest of the Title of St Prassede, Papal Secretary of State under Pius IV, and one of the chief factors in the Catholic Counter-Reformation. The popes and the sovereigns of Europe, Henry III of France, Philip II, Mary Queen of Scots, sought his advice and valued his influence.
