The statue of Saint Charles, or “Sancarlone” as the locals call it, stands on the top of a hill just above Arona. The construction was completed at the end of the 17th century.
Visitors can climb up to the head of this masterpiece and watch the lake through the saint's eyes.
A door hidden in the pleats of the cassock gives access to the internal structure where spiral staircases and steep vertical staris lead to the head.
For the climbing you must have closed shoes (no open sandals or flip-flops) and no huge backpacks.
Visitors can also enjoy a panoramic view from the terrace.
Not everyone knows that Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, who designed the Statue of Liberty, stayed in Arona to study the statue’s structure.