Ambrosiana

The Statue of Saint Charles in Arona

The Statue of Saint Charles in Arona, which popular tradition has affectionately dubbed San Carlone,
was created in the seventeenth century at the behest of Federico Borromeo.

He planned to create a colossal statue, visible even from the lake, to pass on to the future the grandeur of Saint Charles Borromeo, his cousin and predecessor as Bishop of Milan, who died in 1584 and was canonised in 1610.

The statue, hollow and more than 23 metres high, rests on a 12-metre-high granite base. It was made to a design by Giovanni Battista Crespi, known as Cerano. It was then assembled out of large sheets of copper hammered and joined with nails and iron rods by the sculptors Siro Zanella of Pavia and Bernardo Falcoli of Lugano. The work was completed in 1698.

It is the world’s second-highest statue, after the Statue of Liberty in New York. Its surface area is no less than 500 square metres. It is possible to visit the inside, through stairs, up to a height of 28 metres.

Since 1624 the Ambrosiana, at the behest of the Federico Borromeo himself, is the owner of the complex on the hill of Arona.

Ticket
Single ticket – terrace and statue: euro 10,00
Single ticket – terrace only: euro 5,00

2024 OPENING HOURS

Extraordinary closures are possible in case of bad weather conditions: please always check the website www.statuasancarlo.it (or Facebook and Instagram) for updated opening hours and access rules before visiting the Statue.

Extraordinary opening times in February
Sunday 11 February and Saturday 17 February
2.00 pm – 5.30 pm (last admission 5.00 pm)

March
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
10.00 am – 5.00 pm (last admission 4.30 pm) *
* access to the Statue is forbidden from 1.00 to 2:00 pm, visitors will still be able to access the Park and other spaces

April, May and June
From Wednesday to Sunday + holidays (April 01, April 02, May 20)
10:00 am- 06: 30 pm (last admission 6:00 pm) *
* access to the Statue is forbidden from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, visitors will still be able to access the Park and other spaces

July and August
Everyday
10:00 am – 06:30 pm (last admission 6:00 pm) *
* access to the Statue is forbidden from 1:00 to 2:30 pm, visitors will still be able to access the Park and other spaces
Thursdays
6.30 pm – 10.00 pm

September and October
From Wednesday to Sunday + holydays (September 01, September 02, September 09, September 10)
10:00 am- 06: 30 pm (last admission 6:00 pm) *
* access to the Statue is forbidden from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, visitors will still be able to access the Park and other spaces
Thursday 05 September
6.30 pm – 10.00 pm

From November 01 to November 04
Every day
10:00 am – 05: 00 pm (last admission 04:30 pm) *
* access to the Statue is forbidden from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, visitors will still be able to access the Park and other spaces

From December 21 to December 31
Every day (closed December 25)
10:00 am – 05: 00 pm (last admission 04:30 pm) *
* access to the Statue is forbidden from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, visitors will still be able to access the Park and other spaces

Minimum necessary visiting time approximately 30 minutes.

INFO

Piazzale San Carlo
28041 Arona Novara, Italia

tel. and fax+39 0322 249 669
[email protected]
www.statuasancarlo.it

The Statue of Saint Charles in Arona

INFO UTILI

Piazzale San Carlo
28041 Arona Novara, Italia

tel. and fax+39 0322 249 669
[email protected]
www.statuasancarlo.it

WHAT’S ON

DECEMBER 7: SPECIAL EVENING OPENING

Pinacoteca

DECEMBER 7: SPECIAL EVENING OPENING

From 18.00 to 19.30 (last admission) entrance to the Art Gallery and Crypt at the special price of €3.00

07/12/2025-07/12/2025
Nicola Samorì | Classical collapse

Pinacoteca

Nicola Samorì | Classical collapse

27/11/2025-13/01/2026
Exhibition
CHRISTMAS BRASS QUINTET

Ambrosiana

CHRISTMAS BRASS QUINTET

On December 2 come to the Pinacoteca for an individual evening visit and a brass concert in the Sala Federiciana!

02/12/2025-02/12/2025
 FLASHES OF LIGHT

Pinacoteca

FLASHES OF LIGHT

Until February 3, Pinacoteca Rooms 2 and 3

06/11/2025-03/02/2026
Exhibition

ONLINE COLLECTION

(158 online artworks)

Jael and Sisera, Giuseppe Vermiglio (1585-1635)
Octagonal casket, Bottega degli Embriachi (XIV-XV secolo)
The Damned Soul, Anonimo lombardo (XVII secolo)
A Soul in Purgatory, Anonimo lombardo (XVII secolo)
The Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist, Ubertini Francesco detto Bachiacca (1494-1557)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 909 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 145 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Flowers and Roses, Gaetano Previati (1852-1920)
Portrait of a Lady, Giovanni Ambrogio De Predis (1455-1508)
Judith and Holofernes, Giuseppe Vermiglio (1585-1635)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 3 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Madonna Enthroned with Saint Ambrose and Saint Michael, Bartolomeo Suardi detto il Bramantino (1465-1530)
The infant Jesus with a Lamb, Bernardino Luini (1480-1532)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 860 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 873 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of Bernardino da Lesmo, Bartolomeo Veneto (1502-1530)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 49 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Blessed Soul, Anonimo lombardo (XVII secolo)
Christ Resurrected, Marco Basaiti (1470-1530)
The Kiss, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Display case with the hair of Lucrezia Borgia, Alfredo Ravasco
Portrait of Giovanni Battista Morosini, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
The Madonna of the Pavilion, Sandro Botticelli (Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi detto) (1444 o 1445-1510)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 117 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Libro d’Ore Borromeo, Cristoforo de Predis (1440-1486)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 663 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 71 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of a Young Man, Giorgione (Giorgio da Castelfranco copia da) (1478 circa-1510)
Dantesque window, Giuseppe Bertini (1825-1898)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 455 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Flowers in a Vase, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 116 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Allegory of Water, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Christ Crowned with Thorns, Bernardino Luini (1480-1532)
The Dormition of the Virgin, Anonimo ferrarese (XV secolo)
Pietà (copy from Michelangelo), Leone Leoni
The Adoration with Saint Roch, Gian Pietro Rizzoli detto Giampietrino (1508-1549)
Portrait of a Young Girl with a Dove, Natale Schiavoni (1777-1858)
Lesenes and trophies, Agostino Busti detto il Bambaia (1483-1548)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 149 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Locked out of school, Emilio Longoni (1859-1932)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 812 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 5 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Pietro Antonio Magatti (1691-1767)
Sacra Conversazione, Ambrogio da Fossano detto il Bergognone (1453-1523)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1058 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Basket of fruit, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 29 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Adoration of the Magi, Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli also known as Morazzone (1571-1626)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 719 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Martyrdom of Saint Peter of Verona, Alessandro Bonvicino detto Moretto (1490-1554)
The Triumph of David, Lucas Hugenszoon detto Luca di Leida (1494-1533)
Portrait of a Musician, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Moses and the Brazen Serpent, Cesare Ligari (1716-1770)
Clock with astrolabe, Sconosciuto
Saint Michael the Archangel, Giulio Cesare Procaccini (1574-1625)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1069 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Napoleon Bonaparte’s gloves, NA
Crib, Federico Barocci o Baroccio detto il Fiori (1535-1612) (replica di)
The Holy Family with Saints Anne and John, Bernardino Luini (1480-1532)
Figured casket, Scultore lombardo
Adoration of the Magi, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
The Adoration of the Magi, Maestro del Santo Sangue (XVI secolo)
Daggers with sheath (eared sfondagiaco dagger), Milanese Gunsmiths
Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Jan II Brueghel il Giovane (1601-1678)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 844 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Head of Christ the Redeemer, Gian Giacomo Caprotti detto Salai (1480-1524)
Mouse with Roses, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Portrait of Emilia Morosini Zeltner, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Maternity, Mosè Bianchi (1840-1904)
Codice Atlantico (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
De divina proportione, Luca Pacioli (1445 circa – 1517)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus) f. 199 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Holy Family, Carlo Francesco Nuvolone (1609-1661)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus) f. 710 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Allegorical Female Figure, Giovanni Serodine (1600-1631)
Portrait of a Gentleman (Michel de l’Hospital), Giovan Battista Moroni (1520-1578)
Portrait of Peter Leopold of Habsburg-Lorraine (later Leopold II), Anton Raphael Mengs (1728-1779)
Allegory of Fire, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Original Sin, Jan II Brueghel il Giovane (1601-1678)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 12 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Mary Magdalene, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
Still Life with Musical Instruments, Evaristo Baschenis (1617-1677)
Ceremonial saddle and stirrups. Detail of the wooden horse of Troy, Arte armaiola milanese
The Magdalen and the Angel, Giulio Cesare Procaccini (1574-1625)
Diana the Huntress, Joachim Friess (XVI-XVII secolo)
The Annunciation, Gerolamo Mazzola Bedoli (1500-1569)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 858 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, Antonio Badile (1518-1560)
The Assumption of the Virgin, Giovanni Agostino da Lodi (1467-1524 circa)
Still Life with Fruit, Isaac Soreau (1604-1638)
Portrait of Paolo Morigia, Fede Galizia (1578-1630)
The Arco della Pace in Milan, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 4 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of Manfredo Settala, Daniele Crespi (1600-1630) attribuito a
Male portrait, Hans Muelich (1516-1573)
The Holy Family with Sain John, Tobias and the Archangel Raphael, Bonifacio Veronese (1487-1553)
The Last Supper, Andrea Bianchi detto il Vespino (attivo 1612-1640)
The Ambrosian Virgil of Francesco Petrarca, NA
Laocoon (copy of the Vatican original), Leone Leoni
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 33 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Horse’s head (Copy from the equestrian monument to Marcus Aurelius on the Capitol in Rome), NA
Portrait of a Young Man, Vittore Ghislandi detto Frà Galgario (1655-1743)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1006 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Latin astrolabe, Anonymous
Still Life with Fruit, Isaac Soreau (1604-1638)
Plato, Giovanni Antonio Piatti (1447-1480)
Portico in Ruins, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Giandomenico Tiepolo (1727-1804)
The Madonna and Child with a Worshipper, Bernardino Betti detto il Pinturicchio (1454-1513)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 845 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of Giuseppina Negroni Prati Morosini, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Seascape, Paul Bril (1554-1626)
Man in Armour, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
The Madonna and Child with Saint Peter and Saint Jerome, Cesare Magni (1511-1534)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 72 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 307 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Self Portrait, Antonio Canova (1757-1822)
Armillary sphere, NA
Naturalis Historia, Plinio il Vecchio (23-79 dC)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 21 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 272 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
View of the Interior of the Duomo, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
Vase of Flowers with Jewel, Coins and Shells, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Portrait of Napoleon King of Italy, Andrea Appiani (1754-1817)
Christ on the Way to Calvary, Giovanni Busi detto Cariani (1480-1547)
The Madonna Nursing the Child by the Fountain, Bernaert van Orley (1488-1541)
Landscape with Saint John the Baptist, Paul Bril (1554-1626)
The Madonna and Child with Saint John the Evangelist and Saint John the Baptist, Marco d’Oggiono (1470-1525)
Portrait of Alessandro Negroni Prati Morosini, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Mary Magdalene Penitent, Guido Reni (1575-1642)
Codice Atlantico (Codex Atlanticus), f. 104 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Virgin of the Rocks, Andrea Bianchi detto il Vespino (attivo 1612-1640)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 26 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of a Pilgrim, Monogrammista HL (XVI secolo)
Portrait of Saint Charles Borromeo, Giovanni Ambrogio Figino (1548-1608)
Kids and Lambs, Francesco Londonio (1723-1783)
Washerwomen at the Canal, Emilio Gola (1851-1923)
The Adoration, Bartolomeo Suardi detto il Bramantino (1465-1530)
Orrery, Sconosciuto
Saint John the Baptist, Gian Giacomo Caprotti
The Adoration of the Magi, Andrea Schiavone (1510-1563)
Self Portrait, Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844)
Burse, Artista dell’Italia centrale
Apse of San Satiro and View of the Duomo, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
The Placing of Christ in the Sepulchre, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
Noctes Atticae, Aulo Gellio
Mercury and Argus, Anonimo genovese (XVII secolo)
Winter Landscape with Skaters, Hendrick Avercamp (1585-1634)
Cup with Turbo marmoratus shell, Christoph Lencker (1556 circa-1613)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus) f. 851 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Rest on the Flight into Egypt, Jacopo da Ponte detto il Bassano (1510-1592)
The School of Athens, Raffaello Sanzio (1483-1520)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 139 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Wedding of Peleus and Thetis, Ambito di Francesco Albani (1578-1660)
Susanna at her Bath, Carlo Francesco Nuvolone (1609-1661)
Nautilus shell, Sconosciuto
llias picta, NA