Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Church of Saints Francis and Nicholas

Church of Saints Francis and Nicholas

Highlight • Religious Site

Church of Saints Francis and Nicholas

Recommended by 30 hikers out of 31

Save

Location: Orta San Giulio, Novara, Piedmont, Italy

Save

See hikes here

Take Me There

Routes here

Best Hikes to Church of Saints Francis and Nicholas

4.8

(198)

965

hikers

1. Lakeside walk at Lake Orta – Sacro Monte of Orta loop from Orta-Miasino

8.25km

02:18

160m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

5.0

(18)

183

hikers

2. Church of San Rocco – Sacro Monte di Orta loop from Orta San Giulio

3.69km

01:06

110m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

4.8

(37)

163

hikers

3. Lakeside walk at Lake Orta – Sacro Monte of Orta loop from Vacciago

11.2km

03:15

270m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

Tips

Paul

January 1, 2025

Chiesa di San Nicolao, Sacro Monte di Orta
The church of San Nicolao. On the top of the Selva di San Nicolao, since the beginning of Christianity, there stood the church of the same name, the oldest parish in the entire Eastern Riviera. According to tradition, it was founded around the tenth century by monks dependent on the Abbey of St. Gall.
The church has undergone several transformations. The simulacrum, in Byzantine style, is carved in wood and dates back to the ninth century.
The paintings on the sides of the main altar and the balustrade are by Cantalupi and depict some Franciscan saints. The altarpieces on the sides of the church are worth seeing: on the right, the Busca of the Virgin and Child in S. Felice da Cantalcino (ca. 1640), on the left, St. Francis receiving the Child from the hands of the Madonna, painted by Rocca around 1640.
The pronaos was built in 1926. The monks did not always live on the Holy Mountain, as they were expelled for the first time in 1810 at the behest of Napoleon; in 1817 the Friars Minor returned there and were expelled by the Piedmontese government in 1866. The monastery was then used as a residence.
In 1896, however, at the behest of some benefactors, the hospice was built next to the church, which is now inhabited by religious.
Text / Source: Comune Orta San Giulio Via Bossi n.11, 28016 ORTA SAN GIULIO (NO)
comune.ortasangiulio.no.it/Guidaalpaese?IDPagina=56560&IDCat=8746

Translated by Google •

JakobusPilger

July 9, 2022

One of the few saints who is highly valued outside of Christianity is San Francesco, known in German-speaking countries as Francis of Assisi. This "Sacro Monte di Orta" is dedicated to him, and significant stages of his life are recreated in the individual chapels.
Francis was born in Assisi in 1181/82, and died in 1226. In his youth, as the son of wealthy parents, he was more of a bon vivant, but later he turned to Christ. One day he was praying in the half-ruined church of San Damiano, located on the hillside outside the city walls of Assisi, and heard the voice of Christ from the cross, calling on him to "rebuild his church". At first he took this request literally and restored the church building, but later he came to the realization that this was primarily about the church as the community of believers.
Francis became a role model for many people, they joined him and the "Ordo of the Friars Minor" (Ordo Fratrum Minorum) of Francis of Assisi was founded. Today, there are three male branches in the large Franciscan order family: the Franciscans, the Minorites and the Capuchins; and two female branches: the Franciscan sisters and the Poor Clares. In addition, there is the "Third" or "Secular" Order, which can be joined by women and men who do not take the classic religious vows (poverty, chastity and obedience) and continue to live in their families and professions.

Translated by Google •

🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

June 21, 2022

Church was originally dedicated to San Nicolao in the 9th century. The prayer house was radically transformed between 1602 - 1607, redesigned and dedicated to San Francesco after the foundation of the Sacro Monte di Orta in 1591.
Beautiful church to conclude the life story of San Francesco.

Translated by Google •

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 460 m

Weather

Today

Tuesday 11 November

14°C

6°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 3.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Orta San Giulio, Novara, Piedmont, Italy

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Piazza Mario Motta, Orta San Giulio

Stone Bridge and Forest Path on Monte Mesma

Palazzo della Comunità

Cappella XIII - San Francesco ignudo per le vie di Assisi per umiltà

Isola San Giulio

Convent of Monte Mesma

Trail from Ronco to Oira

Grotta della Madonna di Lourdes

Lakeside Promenade of Orta San Giulio

Pellino Bridge

View of Lake Orta and San Giulio Island

View of Isola di San Giulio

Church of Saints Francis and Nicholas

1. Lakeside walk at Lake Orta – Sacro Monte of Orta loop from Orta-Miasino

2. Church of San Rocco – Sacro Monte di Orta loop from Orta San Giulio

3. Lakeside walk at Lake Orta – Sacro Monte of Orta loop from Vacciago

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️