The Colossus 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, administers the complex on the hill of Arona.
Piazzale San Carlo
28041 Arona Novara, Italia
tel. and fax+39 0322 249 669
statuasancarlo@ambrosiana.it
www.statuasancarlo.it
Ticket
Single ticket – terrace and statue:
euro 7,00
Single ticket – terrace only:
euro 4,50
SUMMER 2021 OPENING HOURS
MAY-JUNE
Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9: 00-12: 30 and 14: 00-18: 15
On Sundays and on June 2 open all day 9: 00-18: 15
JULY
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9:00-12:30 and 14:00-18:15
On Sundays: 9:00-18:15
AUGUST
From August 1 to 31:
Monday to Saturday: 9:00-12:30 and 14:00-18:15
On Sundays: 9:00-18:15
SEMPTEMBER 1 TO OCTOBER 3
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 9:00-12:30 and 14:00-18:15
On Sundays: 9:00-18:15
FROM OCTOBER 4 TO 31
October 1 to 24: Saturday and Sunday, 9.00-12:30 and 14:00-18:15 last admission
October 30 and 31: 9:00-12:30 and 14:00-17:00
NOVEMBER
Open on November 1, 6 and 7 from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 17.00
WINTER CLOSURE: FROM NOVEMBER 8, 2021, UNTIL END OF FEBRUARY 2022
PLEASE,ALWAYS CHECK THE STATUE’S WEBSITE FOR COMPLETE AND UPDATED INFO ON OPENING TIMES, ADMISSION PROCEDURES AND COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS
Last admission 30 minutes before closing; minimum necessary visiting time: approximately 30 minutes.
ANIMALS ARE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE THE GREEN AREA AND INSIDE THE STATUE.
Piazzale San Carlo
28041 Arona Novara, Italia
tel. and fax+39 0322 249 669
statuasancarlo@ambrosiana.it
www.statuasancarlo.it
Ticket
Single ticket – terrace and statue:
euro 7,00
Single ticket – terrace only:
euro 4,50
SUMMER 2021 OPENING HOURS
MAY-JUNE
Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9: 00-12: 30 and 14: 00-18: 15
On Sundays and on June 2 open all day 9: 00-18: 15
JULY
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9:00-12:30 and 14:00-18:15
On Sundays: 9:00-18:15
AUGUST
From August 1 to 31:
Monday to Saturday: 9:00-12:30 and 14:00-18:15
On Sundays: 9:00-18:15
SEMPTEMBER 1 TO OCTOBER 3
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 9:00-12:30 and 14:00-18:15
On Sundays: 9:00-18:15
FROM OCTOBER 4 TO 31
October 1 to 24: Saturday and Sunday, 9.00-12:30 and 14:00-18:15 last admission
October 30 and 31: 9:00-12:30 and 14:00-17:00
NOVEMBER
Open on November 1, 6 and 7 from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 17.00
WINTER CLOSURE: FROM NOVEMBER 8, 2021, UNTIL END OF FEBRUARY 2022
PLEASE,ALWAYS CHECK THE STATUE’S WEBSITE FOR COMPLETE AND UPDATED INFO ON OPENING TIMES, ADMISSION PROCEDURES AND COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS
Last admission 30 minutes before closing; minimum necessary visiting time: approximately 30 minutes.
ANIMALS ARE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE THE GREEN AREA AND INSIDE THE STATUE.
From January 10 "super green pass" necessary to be admitted | Opening hours: Tue to Fri 14.00-18.00 ; Sat-Sun 10.00-18.00;
A journey through representation in the Napoleonic era in Milan: a melting pot of tradition, propaganda and of change and continuity at the same time.
Open from Sep 1, Monday to Friday, 9.00 to 13.00. Reservation mandatory.
