Pella
Welcome to Pella: a brief tourist guide
Pella is a small Italian municipality located in the province of Novara, in Piedmont, on the western shores of Lake Orta. Its strategic position makes it a place of great historical and naturalistic interest. In this text, we will discover some curiosities about Pella and its surroundings and give you some advice on what to visit.
Let's take a look at the geography of Pella
Pella is located on a small peninsula on the western shore of Lake Orta, right in front of the Island of San Giulio. The town is overlooked by steep granite hills behind which stands the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso. The territory of Pella extends in the north-western part of the province of Novara, on the border with the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola and Valsesia. The area is characterized by altitude variations that range from a minimum of 290 m to a maximum of 641 m above sea level.
The history of Pella through the centuries
Pella is a municipality with ancient origins: evidence of this is the Coppellato boulder dating back to the 4th century BC and a small necropolis with a funerary urn and a coin from the 3rd-4th century AD. In the following years, Pella followed the fate of Cusio and the lands linked to the Island of San Giulio. From the 10th century until 1767, when the Savoy obtained possession of it, the municipality was part of the Riviera principality, under the bishop's authority. In 1529, along with other villages in Cusio, Pella repulsed the invasion of Cesare Maggi, captain of Carlo V of Habsburg. Over the decades, like many centers of Lake Orta, Pella also developed an industrial fabric for the processing of faucets.
Places of interest: the churches and civil buildings of Pella
Pella is a municipality rich in historical and architectural heritage. Starting from the churches, you can visit the Church of Sant'Albino, located in the central square of the town and dating back to 1591. In the hamlet of Alzo, you can admire the parish church of San Giovanni Battista, built-in 1589, and the complex of the Church of San Filiberto. In the hamlet of Ronco Sotto, there is the Church of San Defendente, while in the hamlet of Ronco Sopra, in the woods, you can visit the Oratory of San Giulio, where 15th-century frescoes were found. Among the civil buildings, the Sonzogno paper mill stands out, located in Pella and powered by the Pellino stream. Until 1907, the paper mill produced paper for the Sonzogno publisher and his newspaper "Il Secolo". Today the building has been renovated and is used for residential purposes.
The beauty of Pella's natural landscape
Due to the beauty of the landscape and the presence of Lake Orta, Pella is an ideal place for tourists who love nature. The area surrounding Pella is characterized by green mountains and a lake with crystal-clear waters. The view of the Church of San Giulio standing on the Island of San Giulio is breathtaking. Activities such as trekking, mountain biking, and sailing attract tourists mainly in the summer.
Conclusions
Pella is a place of enormous historical and naturalistic value. If you want to spend a vacation surrounded by nature and beauty, Pella is the right place for you. Visit the churches and civil buildings of the municipality, admire the natural landscape surrounding it, and taste the typical products of the Piedmontese culinary tradition. Pella awaits you with open arms!
