It was in Arona (population 14,370), 20km south of Stresa, that the son of the Count of Arona and Margherita de’ Medici, who would go on to become San Carlo Borromeo (1538–84), was born. His birthplace, the Rocca Borromea castle, was later destroyed by Napoleon. But Arona’s saint is far from forgotten: in addition to a church and several chapels, the hill dedicated to him bears the revered religious monument, Sancarlone . Erected between 1614 and 1698, the 35m bronze-and-copper statue can be climbed, affording a spectacular view from the top.
