Isola San Giulio, human settlement in Italy
Isola San Giulio is a small island in the middle of Lake Orta, featuring a basilica and stone buildings from various periods. The structures are tightly arranged with narrow lanes that wind through the settlement toward the water's edge.
Legend tells that Saint Julius arrived in the 4th century to free the island from serpents and evil creatures, building the first church in his honor. By the 9th century, the bishop of Novara controlled the island, and a castle and monastery were later constructed to protect its inhabitants.
The island is named after Saint Julius, whose devotion shaped the establishment of this place. The basilica and surrounding buildings remain centers of spiritual life today, where nuns continue to live and pray within a monastery.
Visitors reach the island by boat from the nearby town of Orta San Giulio in just a few minutes. Ferries run frequently throughout the day, allowing flexible return times for exploring at a relaxed pace.
An old legend speaks of a dragon bone relic preserved in a chamber of the basilica as a token of Saint Julius's victory. The altar inside the church is carved from serpentine stone, a material that shifts in color depending on the light and may have been crafted by a renowned artisan from centuries past.
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