Ambrosiana

The Statue of Saint Charles in Arona

The Statue of Saint Charles in Arona, which popular tradition has affectionately dubbed San Carlone,
was created in the seventeenth century at the behest of Federico Borromeo.

He planned to create a colossal statue, visible even from the lake, to pass on to the future the grandeur of Saint Charles Borromeo, his cousin and predecessor as Bishop of Milan, who died in 1584 and was canonised in 1610.

The statue, hollow and more than 23 metres high, rests on a 12-metre-high granite base. It was made to a design by Giovanni Battista Crespi, known as Cerano. It was then assembled out of large sheets of copper hammered and joined with nails and iron rods by the sculptors Siro Zanella of Pavia and Bernardo Falcoli of Lugano. The work was completed in 1698.

It is the world’s second-highest statue, after the Statue of Liberty in New York. Its surface area is no less than 500 square metres. It is possible to visit the inside, through stairs, up to a height of 28 metres.

Since 1624 the Ambrosiana, at the behest of the Federico Borromeo himself, is the owner of the complex on the hill of Arona.

Ticket
Single ticket – terrace and statue: euro 10,00
Single ticket – terrace only: euro 5,00

2024 OPENING HOURS

Extraordinary closures are possible in case of bad weather conditions: please always check the website www.statuasancarlo.it (or Facebook and Instagram) for updated opening hours and access rules before visiting the Statue.

Extraordinary opening times in February
Sunday 11 February and Saturday 17 February
2.00 pm – 5.30 pm (last admission 5.00 pm)

March
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
10.00 am – 5.00 pm (last admission 4.30 pm) *
* access to the Statue is forbidden from 1.00 to 2:00 pm, visitors will still be able to access the Park and other spaces

April, May and June
From Wednesday to Sunday + holidays (April 01, April 02, May 20)
10:00 am- 06: 30 pm (last admission 6:00 pm) *
* access to the Statue is forbidden from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, visitors will still be able to access the Park and other spaces

July and August
Everyday
10:00 am – 06:30 pm (last admission 6:00 pm) *
* access to the Statue is forbidden from 1:00 to 2:30 pm, visitors will still be able to access the Park and other spaces
Thursdays
6.30 pm – 10.00 pm

September and October
From Wednesday to Sunday + holydays (September 01, September 02, September 09, September 10)
10:00 am- 06: 30 pm (last admission 6:00 pm) *
* access to the Statue is forbidden from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, visitors will still be able to access the Park and other spaces
Thursday 05 September
6.30 pm – 10.00 pm

From November 01 to November 04
Every day
10:00 am – 05: 00 pm (last admission 04:30 pm) *
* access to the Statue is forbidden from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, visitors will still be able to access the Park and other spaces

From December 21 to December 31
Every day (closed December 25)
10:00 am – 05: 00 pm (last admission 04:30 pm) *
* access to the Statue is forbidden from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, visitors will still be able to access the Park and other spaces

Minimum necessary visiting time approximately 30 minutes.

INFO

Piazzale San Carlo
28041 Arona Novara, Italia

tel. and fax+39 0322 249 669
[email protected]
www.statuasancarlo.it

The Statue of Saint Charles in Arona

INFO UTILI

Piazzale San Carlo
28041 Arona Novara, Italia

tel. and fax+39 0322 249 669
[email protected]
www.statuasancarlo.it

WHAT’S ON

DECEMBER 7: SPECIAL EVENING OPENING

Pinacoteca

DECEMBER 7: SPECIAL EVENING OPENING

From 18.00 to 19.30 (last admission) entrance to the Art Gallery and Crypt at the special price of €3.00

07/12/2025-07/12/2025
Nicola Samorì | Classical collapse

Pinacoteca

Nicola Samorì | Classical collapse

27/11/2025-13/01/2026
Exhibition
CHRISTMAS BRASS QUINTET

Ambrosiana

CHRISTMAS BRASS QUINTET

On December 2 come to the Pinacoteca for an individual evening visit and a brass concert in the Sala Federiciana!

02/12/2025-02/12/2025
 FLASHES OF LIGHT

Pinacoteca

FLASHES OF LIGHT

Until February 3, Pinacoteca Rooms 2 and 3

06/11/2025-03/02/2026
Exhibition

ONLINE COLLECTION

(158 online artworks)

Horse’s head (Copy from the equestrian monument to Marcus Aurelius on the Capitol in Rome), NA
Allegorical Female Figure, Giovanni Serodine (1600-1631)
The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, Antonio Badile (1518-1560)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 29 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 72 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Head of Christ the Redeemer, Gian Giacomo Caprotti detto Salai (1480-1524)
Kids and Lambs, Francesco Londonio (1723-1783)
The Madonna of the Pavilion, Sandro Botticelli (Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi detto) (1444 o 1445-1510)
Man in Armour, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
The Arco della Pace in Milan, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 719 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portico in Ruins, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
Octagonal casket, Bottega degli Embriachi (XIV-XV secolo)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 455 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Allegory of Water, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
The Madonna Enthroned with Saint Ambrose and Saint Michael, Bartolomeo Suardi detto il Bramantino (1465-1530)
Self Portrait, Antonio Canova (1757-1822)
Portrait of a Lady, Giovanni Ambrogio De Predis (1455-1508)
Saint Michael the Archangel, Giulio Cesare Procaccini (1574-1625)
Flowers and Roses, Gaetano Previati (1852-1920)
Portrait of a Young Man, Giorgione (Giorgio da Castelfranco copia da) (1478 circa-1510)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 49 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 117 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Adoration of the Magi, Maestro del Santo Sangue (XVI secolo)
The Holy Family, Carlo Francesco Nuvolone (1609-1661)
The Wedding of Peleus and Thetis, Ambito di Francesco Albani (1578-1660)
Portrait of a Pilgrim, Monogrammista HL (XVI secolo)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1058 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Magdalen and the Angel, Giulio Cesare Procaccini (1574-1625)
Portrait of a Young Man, Vittore Ghislandi detto Frà Galgario (1655-1743)
Washerwomen at the Canal, Emilio Gola (1851-1923)
Self Portrait, Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844)
Codice Atlantico (Codex Atlanticus), f. 104 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Burse, Artista dell’Italia centrale
Basket of fruit, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 812 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1069 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Christ on the Way to Calvary, Giovanni Busi detto Cariani (1480-1547)
The Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist, Ubertini Francesco detto Bachiacca (1494-1557)
The Triumph of David, Lucas Hugenszoon detto Luca di Leida (1494-1533)
Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Jan II Brueghel il Giovane (1601-1678)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 139 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus) f. 199 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Crib, Federico Barocci o Baroccio detto il Fiori (1535-1612) (replica di)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 873 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Vase of Flowers with Jewel, Coins and Shells, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Mouse with Roses, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 12 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of Paolo Morigia, Fede Galizia (1578-1630)
The Adoration of the Magi, Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli also known as Morazzone (1571-1626)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus) f. 710 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
llias picta, NA
Libro d’Ore Borromeo, Cristoforo de Predis (1440-1486)
Christ Resurrected, Marco Basaiti (1470-1530)
Noctes Atticae, Aulo Gellio
The Madonna Nursing the Child by the Fountain, Bernaert van Orley (1488-1541)
Orrery, Sconosciuto
Latin astrolabe, Anonymous
Nautilus shell, Sconosciuto
Mercury and Argus, Anonimo genovese (XVII secolo)
Christ Crowned with Thorns, Bernardino Luini (1480-1532)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 149 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 663 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of a Musician, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Pietro Antonio Magatti (1691-1767)
Still Life with Musical Instruments, Evaristo Baschenis (1617-1677)
The Adoration with Saint Roch, Gian Pietro Rizzoli detto Giampietrino (1508-1549)
The Annunciation, Gerolamo Mazzola Bedoli (1500-1569)
The Madonna and Child with a Worshipper, Bernardino Betti detto il Pinturicchio (1454-1513)
Jael and Sisera, Giuseppe Vermiglio (1585-1635)
The Madonna and Child with Saint Peter and Saint Jerome, Cesare Magni (1511-1534)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 116 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Armillary sphere, NA
Moses and the Brazen Serpent, Cesare Ligari (1716-1770)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 307 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of Napoleon King of Italy, Andrea Appiani (1754-1817)
Figured casket, Scultore lombardo
Portrait of Giovanni Battista Morosini, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Portrait of Alessandro Negroni Prati Morosini, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
The Ambrosian Virgil of Francesco Petrarca, NA
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 33 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Mary Magdalene Penitent, Guido Reni (1575-1642)
Male portrait, Hans Muelich (1516-1573)
Ceremonial saddle and stirrups. Detail of the wooden horse of Troy, Arte armaiola milanese
The Blessed Soul, Anonimo lombardo (XVII secolo)
Adoration of the Magi, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
Naturalis Historia, Plinio il Vecchio (23-79 dC)
Portrait of Peter Leopold of Habsburg-Lorraine (later Leopold II), Anton Raphael Mengs (1728-1779)
Clock with astrolabe, Sconosciuto
Seascape, Paul Bril (1554-1626)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 845 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 5 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Apse of San Satiro and View of the Duomo, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
The Last Supper, Andrea Bianchi detto il Vespino (attivo 1612-1640)
Display case with the hair of Lucrezia Borgia, Alfredo Ravasco
Portrait of Saint Charles Borromeo, Giovanni Ambrogio Figino (1548-1608)
The Assumption of the Virgin, Giovanni Agostino da Lodi (1467-1524 circa)
Mary Magdalene, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 71 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Still Life with Fruit, Isaac Soreau (1604-1638)
Dantesque window, Giuseppe Bertini (1825-1898)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus) f. 851 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of a Young Girl with a Dove, Natale Schiavoni (1777-1858)
Codice Atlantico (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 4 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Susanna at her Bath, Carlo Francesco Nuvolone (1609-1661)
Portrait of Bernardino da Lesmo, Bartolomeo Veneto (1502-1530)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 909 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Locked out of school, Emilio Longoni (1859-1932)
The Holy Family with Sain John, Tobias and the Archangel Raphael, Bonifacio Veronese (1487-1553)
The Dormition of the Virgin, Anonimo ferrarese (XV secolo)
View of the Interior of the Duomo, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
Landscape with Saint John the Baptist, Paul Bril (1554-1626)
Original Sin, Jan II Brueghel il Giovane (1601-1678)
Diana the Huntress, Joachim Friess (XVI-XVII secolo)
Judith and Holofernes, Giuseppe Vermiglio (1585-1635)
Allegory of Fire, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Still Life with Fruit, Isaac Soreau (1604-1638)
Portrait of a Gentleman (Michel de l’Hospital), Giovan Battista Moroni (1520-1578)
Sacra Conversazione, Ambrogio da Fossano detto il Bergognone (1453-1523)
Flowers in a Vase, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 858 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Daggers with sheath (eared sfondagiaco dagger), Milanese Gunsmiths
The Adoration of the Magi, Andrea Schiavone (1510-1563)
The Kiss, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Napoleon Bonaparte’s gloves, NA
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 3 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 145 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
A Soul in Purgatory, Anonimo lombardo (XVII secolo)
De divina proportione, Luca Pacioli (1445 circa – 1517)
The Holy Family with Saints Anne and John, Bernardino Luini (1480-1532)
The Damned Soul, Anonimo lombardo (XVII secolo)
Cup with Turbo marmoratus shell, Christoph Lencker (1556 circa-1613)
Portrait of Giuseppina Negroni Prati Morosini, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
The Placing of Christ in the Sepulchre, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
Lesenes and trophies, Agostino Busti detto il Bambaia (1483-1548)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 26 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Winter Landscape with Skaters, Hendrick Avercamp (1585-1634)
The Adoration, Bartolomeo Suardi detto il Bramantino (1465-1530)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 860 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Laocoon (copy of the Vatican original), Leone Leoni
Pietà (copy from Michelangelo), Leone Leoni
Portrait of Manfredo Settala, Daniele Crespi (1600-1630) attribuito a
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1006 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Rest on the Flight into Egypt, Jacopo da Ponte detto il Bassano (1510-1592)
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Giandomenico Tiepolo (1727-1804)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 844 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Maternity, Mosè Bianchi (1840-1904)
The School of Athens, Raffaello Sanzio (1483-1520)
The Madonna and Child with Saint John the Evangelist and Saint John the Baptist, Marco d’Oggiono (1470-1525)
Saint John the Baptist, Gian Giacomo Caprotti
The Virgin of the Rocks, Andrea Bianchi detto il Vespino (attivo 1612-1640)
The Martyrdom of Saint Peter of Verona, Alessandro Bonvicino detto Moretto (1490-1554)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 272 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Plato, Giovanni Antonio Piatti (1447-1480)
The infant Jesus with a Lamb, Bernardino Luini (1480-1532)
Portrait of Emilia Morosini Zeltner, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 21 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)