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
UP TO SEMPTEMBER 15
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 9:00-12:30 and 14:00-18:15
On Sundays: 9:00-18:15
The opening hours of the following months will be published on this site as soon as possible
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
UP TO SEMPTEMBER 15
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 9:00-12:30 and 14:00-18:15
On Sundays: 9:00-18:15
The opening hours of the following months will be published on this site as soon as possible
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 July 26 to August 31 the reading room is closed for the usual summer pause.
Every Sunday, from May 23, 2021
On the occasion of the celebrations for the seventh centenary of Dante Alighieri's death, the exhibition presents a precious selection of Divine Comedies from the Ambrosiana Library.
