It’s not just a statue; it’s a giant statue, and I mean giant. If you’re anywhere near Lake Maggiore, you can’t miss it. It’s like the friendly neighborhood giant, only instead of a club, he’s holding a… well, I’ll get to that. This isn’t just some random statue; it’s a tribute to Saint Charles Borromeo, a pretty important figure around Arona. And it’s not just any tribute; it’s a colossal bronze monument that’s been attracting visitors for centuries.
Sancarlone Description
It’s so big, it has its own internal staircase! It’s not just a statue; it’s a climbable experience. First off, the sheer scale of the thing is mind-boggling. We’re talking about a statue that’s over 35 meters tall, standing proudly on a hill overlooking Lake Maggiore.
And it’s not just about the size. The Sancarlone depicts Saint Charles Borromeo, a pretty important figure in local history. He’s shown in all his finery, looking very dignified and, well, rather large. It’s not just a statue of a saint; it’s a symbol of power and faith, a reminder of the region’s history and traditions. And the fact that you can actually climb inside it? That’s just the cherry on top.
What to Expect at Sancarlone
You’re going to the Sancarlone for one main reason: to see a giant statue. This thing is colossal. I mean, seriously, bring a wide-angle lens for your camera, because you’re not going to get the whole thing in the frame from up close. Now, a word of warning: if you’re planning on going inside the statue, be prepared for some tight spaces. It’s not exactly roomy up there.
The best experience including Sancarlone
The statue and the vistas
This thing is HUGE. We’re talking 35 meters tall, which is like a ten-story building. The granite pedestal is 11.7 meters, and the statue itself is a whopping 23.4 meters. For almost two centuries, it was the tallest statue in the world that you could actually go inside. It wasn’t just a statue; it was an experience, a chance to get up close and personal with a giant. And speaking of getting close, the details are mind-blowing. The index finger alone is almost 2 meters long! It’s not just a big figure; it’s a meticulously crafted work of art, with every detail, from the folds of the robe to the expression on the face, carefully considered.
But the Sancarlone isn’t just about size; it’s about the view. Once you climb inside (yes, you can actually climb inside!), you’re treated to a panorama that’s simply breathtaking. You’re not just seeing Lake Maggiore; you’re seeing it from the perspective of a saint (or at least, a really big statue of a saint). It’s a bird’s-eye view that stretches for miles, taking in the lake, the surrounding mountains, and the charming towns dotting the shoreline. It’s not just a view; it’s an unforgettable experience, a chance to see the world from a unique and awe-inspiring vantage point.
The Origins of the Sancarlone
It’s the 17th century, and Cardinal Federico Borromeo, Archbishop of Milan, is mourning the loss of his cousin, Saint Charles Borromeo. Talk about family loyalty! Federico decides to build a monument so grand it would make his cousin proud – a Sacro Monte, a sacred mountain, dedicated to the saint’s memory.
And because a regular statue just wouldn’t cut it, they decided to go big, really big. They wanted something visible from Lake Maggiore, a beacon of faith and a testament to Saint Charles’s legacy. It wasn’t just about building a statue; it was about creating a symbol, a landmark that would inspire awe and admiration for generations to come. The design came from Giovanni Battista Crespi, nicknamed “il Cerano”, and the actual construction was a team effort by sculptors Siro Zanella and Bernardo Falconi.
They used hammered copper sheets, pieced together like a giant puzzle, to create the statue. It wasn’t just about sculpting; it was about engineering, figuring out how to make this massive figure stand tall and proud. And the result? A statue that’s not just big, it’s iconic. Saint Charles stands there, simple yet majestic, a book in one hand and his other arm raised in blessing. It took 74 years to complete, a true labor of love (and a testament to the dedication of the artisans involved). Finally, in 1698, it was blessed and officially became the Sancarlone, a monument that’s as impressive today as it was centuries ago.
