Nature parks
Special Nature Reserve of the Sacro Monte of Orta (Orta San Giulio)
Category: Parks
The natural environment of the Sacro Monte (Sacred Mountain) is interesting both because the mountain is made up of rocks that were modelled by Quaternary glaciers and because of the close relation between the environment and the monumental area, which had already been analysed when the sacred complex was built. This is the reason why at the foot of the hill we find mostly woods of broad-leaved plants, while in the monumental area the vegetation has always been looked after as if it were a ‘historical garden’. Here we can find evergreen plants and several typical mountain species, such as the bilberry. Among the arboreal species found here it is worth mentioning Scots pines, yew trees, beech trees, hollies and a fine path with ancient hornbeams that overlook the lake. The Sacro Monte di Orta comprises twenty chapels built between the end of the XVI century and the end of the XVIII century. Inside the chapels frescoes and terracotta sculptures on the life of Saint Francis can be admired.
Information
Area: 13 hectares
Elevation: 330 - 401 metres above sea level
Established: 1980
Environment: hilly
E-mail: monteorta@tin.it
www.sacromonteorta.it
Head Office
Via Sacro Monte - 28016 Orta San Giulio (No)
Tel. +39.0322.911960 - Fax: +39.0322.905654
