Nonio on Lake Orta: Village, Art and Nature

Nonio lies in the northern part of Lake Orta, with the Mottarone massif rising opposite. The municipal area stretches from the lakeshore across the surrounding hills to the forests. In the village, narrow lanes and closely spaced stone houses preserve the character of an old settlement. The landscape, village layout and historic buildings give the place a variety of facets—from its lakeside setting to the works of art in its churches.

Landscape and walking routes around Nonio

The Grand Tour del Lago d’Orta is a 115-kilometre circular route divided into five themed stages. Its route reaches the Nonio area, making the village one of the stops along a longer trail whose stages explore different themes.

The Anello di Bagnella also takes you through the local and landscape setting of Nonio. It starts at the large car park of the Centro Sportivo on Piazzale Lodi in Bagnella. After climbing from Oira, the route enters the village of Nonio and then continues along a mule track towards the Laghetti di Nonio. The Circuit of Quarna also leads to these lakes. The Laghetti di Nonio consist of two bodies of water separated by a concrete slab. Before setting out on the Circuit of Quarna, it is advisable to check current trail conditions.

The routes mentioned differ in how they relate to the village: the Grand Tour del Lago d’Orta reaches the Nonio area, the Anello di Bagnella passes through the village and continues towards the Laghetti, and the Circuit of Quarna has the Laghetti as its destination. This makes it easier to decide whether to include a longer circular route, a walk through Nonio or a route to the lakes in your plans.

Village life and architectural history

Closely spaced stone houses and narrow lanes define Nonio’s old village layout. Among its notable religious buildings is the Parrocchiale di San Biagio Vescovo e Martire, which may date back to the 14th century and has a remarkable portal. At the centre stands the Oratorio di San Rocco, built in 1639. Two large frescoes by Luca Rossetti d’Orta, painted in 1749, are on the side walls of the presbytery. The dates distinguish the construction of the oratory from its later artistic decoration.

Brolo, a hamlet of Nonio, also brings together local character and history. Its parish church is dedicated to Sant’Antonio Abate and dates from the first half of the 16th century. Brolo is known as the “village of cats”: cat motifs appear on rooftops, house-number tiles and house façades. If you follow the numbered points of interest on the map, you can walk the GiroGatti and discover these local motifs along the way.

Other historic landmarks in Brolo include the Palazzo dell’Ufficio Postale, formerly known as the Palazzo della Comunità. The Vecchio torchio was once used to press grapes, apples for making cider and walnuts for oil. The Museo della Civiltà Contadina focuses on historic crafts and the region’s agricultural traditions. Together, these places offer insight into different aspects of local history: buildings, traditional uses and rural work.

Local speciality and winter natural phenomenon

Fugascina is the typical sweet treat from Nonio. Another feature linking the village to the seasons is the winter “double sunset.” In the early afternoon, the sun first disappears behind Monte Castello, reappears for a few minutes and then sets for good. Unlike the historic buildings and village layout, this natural phenomenon is specifically associated with winter—a distinct seasonal feature to bear in mind when planning your stay.

Discover more destinations: Antrogna, Barbè Superiore, Cresseglio, Ornavasso, Agrano, Mergozzo, Trarego Viggiona, Masera.

View the full travel guide: Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.