Province VB
Cannobio, VB
The northernmost Italian town on Lake Maggiore's Piedmontese shore, a few kilometres from the Swiss border at the mouth of the Val Cannobina. It has a long lakefront promenade, a medieval core behind it and a Blue Flag beach. It historically lived on wool, tanning, timber and smuggling across the border.
Sights
- Santuario della Santissima Pieta, the lakeside sanctuary built after a painting reportedly bled in 1522
- Palazzo della Ragione, a civic building documented by 1291, on the waterfront
- Chiesa di San Vittore, the parish church rebuilt 1733 to 1749
- Orrido di Sant'Anna, a gorge about three kilometres up the Val Cannobina where the stream cuts a ravine some 25 metres deep, with a small church of 1638 above it
Things to do
- Go to the Sunday morning market along the lakefront, one of the largest on the lake
- Swim at the lido, or walk or cycle the flat riverside path from the town up to the Orrido
- Drive or walk into the Val Cannobina towards Malesco
Annual events
7 January
Festa della Santissima Pieta
Evening procession with the relic, candles in windows and on boats, followed by traditional dishes. Held on the same date each year.
May to October
Bancarelle sotto le stelle
An evening lakefront market on Friday evenings through the season.
When to visit
May to September for swimming and the valley. The lake road stays open all year but the town is quiet from November to March.
