Overview
The town of felt hats, with breath-taking views of Lake Maggiore
On the Piedmont shore of Lake Maggiore, on the outskirts of Verbania, you can enjoy a relaxing weekend or out-of-town trip exploring the village of Ghiffa. Situated on a small promontory, it offers stunning views of the large Italian lake.
One of the area’s main sites of interest is undoubtedly the Sacro Monte di Ghiffa, one of the Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003. The route starts on the wooded slopes of Monte Cargiago above the village of Ronco and winds its way for over five kilometres along three main stops: three chapels built between the 17th and 18th centuries that accompany visitors on their way to the sanctuary dedicated to the Holy Trinity.
If you don’t want to venture all the way to the sanctuary, you can explore the centre of Ghiffa, strolling among the parish church of San Maurizio, the Church of the Beata Vergine Assunta and the elegant Art Nouveau buildings built following the boom in tourism in the area in the late 19th century.
For a one-of-a-kind experience, visit the Museum of the Art of Hat-making in the historic Panizza factory building, where felt hats, exported all around the world, were produced for almost a hundred years.
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