Spirituality, mysticism and art come together in the wealth of beautiful churches and cathedrals found everywhere in the Lake Maggiore area.

Many of these buildings have immense cultural and historical value. Some not to be missed are the ancient church in the village of Carmine Superiore near Cannobio, high on a cliff looking directly over Lake Maggiore; the Walser church in Macugnaga near the seven-hundred year old Lime Tree; the beautiful church of Saints Gervasio and Protasio in Domodossola, built on the ruins of an earlier Romanesque Church; and the parish church of Ghemme in the Novara hills area with its splendid Baroque facade.

Some of the churches are santuari or shrines, places of pilgrimage associated with a miracle, like the Santuario of the Madonna del Boden in Ornavasso, or that of the Madonna di Re in the Vigezzo Valley, an imposing structure which attracts thousands of pilgrims every year, or the Santuario of the Crucifix at Boca in the Novara hills area.

Another “must” is a visit to the Sacro Monte devotional complexes in Domodossola, Ghiffa and Orta San Giulio, UNESCO World Heritage sites all built in commanding hilltop situations with wonderful views.