Sancarlone

The copper and bronze statue stands 23.4 meters tall on an 11.7-meter granite pedestal, with the right hand raised in blessing and a book in the left hand.

Giovanni Battista Crespi designed this statue between 1614 and 1697, creating what remained the tallest statue in the world for nearly two centuries.

The statue represents Saint Carlo Borromeo, born in Arona, who served as Archbishop of Milan and became a central religious figure in the region.

Visitors can climb inside the statue through spiral stairs and a ship ladder to reach viewing points at the shoulders and head of the monument.

The internal structure contains observation openings corresponding to the eyes, nostrils, and ears of the saint, providing specific viewpoints over Lake Maggiore.

Location: Arona

Inception: 1698

Creator: Giovanni Battista Crespi

Height: 11.5 m

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Website: https://www.statuasancarlo.it/

Made from material: copper, granite, bronze

Part of: sacro monte di Arona

Opening Hours: July: Thursday-Friday 09:00-12:20, 14:00-18:15; Saturday-Sunday 09:00-18:15; August 1-9, 24-31: Thursday-Friday

Phone: +390322249669

Email: info@ambrosiana.it

Website: https://statuasancarlo.it

GPS coordinates: 45.77026,8.54331

Latest update: May 27, 2025 06:58