Oleggio Castello: Castle, Archaeology and Nature Park

Oleggio Castello combines Neo-Gothic castle architecture, archaeological remains and trails in Lagoni di Mercurago Nature Park. This gives your trip planning two main themes: cultural history at the Castello and the landscape around the nature park. If you are looking for a hotel in Oleggio Castello, these themes can help you decide in advance what kind of day you would like to plan. Consider whether you are more interested in the castle’s architecture and history or in the archaeological and landscape features.

Castle, Design and Landscape

Castello di Oleggio Castello is a rare and harmonious example of Neo-Gothic architecture. Its design is inspired by 16th-century English Gothic and Tudor Revival architecture. The interior reflects the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement, shaped by William Morris. The Castello is surrounded by an expansive landscaped park with rare trees of botanical interest and offers views of the Lake Maggiore landscape.

Archaeological Remains

The archaeological remains also span several periods. Lagoni di Mercurago Nature Park also includes Oleggio Castello. It contains a prehistoric pile-dwelling settlement, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. Near the Lagoni hamlet, tombs from the Golasecca culture were excavated; they date from the Iron Age and are dated to the 6th to 5th centuries BC. These tombs are described along the archaeological trail. The trail also includes a restored Roman cremation necropolis with ten tombs, whose original structure is still visible. UNESCO recognition applies to the pile-dwelling settlement; the Golasecca tombs and Roman necropolis are further remains from different periods.

Trails in the Nature Park and Other Routes

Parco dei Lagoni di Mercurago can be reached from Oleggio Castello via Via Nicolini; access is via Sente' di Busch, which forms part of the cycle route. The park can be explored along 30 kilometres of unpaved trails. The municipal description calls the trails suitable for all visitors and notes no difficult or excessively strenuous sections; however, individual circumstances may vary. Access and route selection answer different questions: one concerns how to enter the park, while the other concerns the route you plan for your stay.

Two other route descriptions differ in their starting and ending points. A hilly trail between Oleggio Castello and Gattico passes through Bosco Solivo, Parco dei Lagoni di Mercurago and Valle dei Molini; it is of historical, ecological and scenic interest. Another route starts in Località Bergamino, runs through the woods of the nature park and then reaches the town centre of Oleggio Castello. The first passes through three named landscape areas; the town centre is the destination of the second. Check the conditions of the route from Località Bergamino before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Lumellogno, Fara Novarese, Grignasco, Meina, Orta San Giulio, Massino Visconti, Comignago, Auzate

For the broader travel overview: Novara.