Osteria di San Giulio
The most ancient B&B around Orta Lake

Lagna, hamlet of S.Maurizio d’Opaglio, once depending from the Romagnano Court, since the X century has been included in the Riviera of S.Giulio and Orta, personal possession of the Bishops of Novara up to the XVIII century, and seat of the German Emperor Otto I during his siege to San Giulio island in 962 a.C.

The first historical documents mentioning Lagna go back to 840 and 1005 a.C. Beside the little enchantable Lagna’s wharf is Casa Brioschi, from wich you can see one of the most evocative views of the lake and where, since 1991, each summer takes place, La Finestra sul Lago,a summer festival of arts, music and theater. For centuries the entrance of Casa Brioschi has been occupied by the Osteria di San Giulio. The first document telling of the Osteria dates back to 1823 when Caterina Fiorentini, ancestress of the owners, asked to renew the authorisation for foods and drinks commerce. Obviously the Osteria, once place where the boatmen gathered, existed before this document was written. The first document mentioning the building is a 1730 heritage inventory drafted by Notary Olina from Isola di S.Giulio. The main entrance, on which you can still see the original sign of the osteria, gives access to the tipical court of this territory country villas. Originally the “owners wing" was a two floors building, but at the end of the XIX century was elevated with a third floor including the original “lobbione”, a traditional open space between the roof and the ceiling of the rooms, generally opened to South, with granite columns supporting arches. The chemney room at ground floor is particulary interesting and evocative, with decorated ceiling with frescos of the very early XX century.In the garden, close to 6.000 mq, you'll find a great vegetation variety: high Japanese cypresses, once very common in the villas around the lake, a mediterranean pine, here grown in spite of lake climate, chestnuts, appletrees, a little vineyard, a very old rose-garden, hydrangeas, camelias and interesting Japanes anemones.Now it's a new start for the Osteria di San Giulio, offering a warm, familiar, romantic and evocative atmosphere, the perfect place for studying, meditation, rest and love. The ancient rooms are filled for the most with the original fornitures.

The wide garden directly opens on the clean waters of the lake, where bathing is a real pleasure, and offers one of the most beautiful panoramas of the region. Dozens of fascinating corners all around, away from traffic, for unforgettable walks in a fantastic landscape. Your hosts we'll be happy to suggest you tours and visits to artistic sites, guiding you at the discovery of this region, of its history and its culture.

The ground floor of the rustic wing is for reception and activities, the first floor is for the night. Entering the main door, on your right you'll find the reception, while on your left, under the arcade, is the Osteria's kitchen, a living room and the biblioteque. The inner stairs lead to the first floor where you'll find the camera Magnolia with 2 beds and the camera Ortensia with 2 beds. ?Each room has his private bathroom. The balcony leads to the Camelias suite: 2 rooms, Camelia Bianca with a double-bed, Camelia Rossa with 2 beds, a little living room and the bathroom.

In the "owners wing”, on the other side of the court: the charming big old kitchen and two dining rooms, the chimney room and the garden room with an incredible perspective on the lake, and, facing the rose-garden, a little reading room and music listening.

From Torino: A4 Torino/Milano- 63 km then turn for Gravellona Toce on A26 - exit Borgomanero
From Milano: A8 direction Sesto Calende, then A26 to Gravellona Toce, exit Arona, then left to Borgomanero

Daily charge (bed & breakfast)
40,00 euro for person
20,00 euro children up to 12 years
Free for babies under 1 year

Weekly charge
(7 nights + 7breakfasts):
200,00 euro for person
100,00 euro children up to 12 years

Breakfast is served up to 10am.
Leaving within 11 pm.
Pets are welcome (under owners' responsibility)
Please don't smoke in the rooms and don't throw cigarette-ends.
Please don't pick up flowers (ask for!), don't dig holes and don't spoil the trees .
You can pick up all the fruits dirctly from the trees.
Parking is 300m away from the house, but it is possible loading and unloading in front of the main entrance.
Guests will pay cheap ticket for the events that'll take place in tha villa.
The owner speaks fluent English and Spanish, and can understand French and (very little!) German.

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