What to see and what to do in Ghiffa

Ghiffa is a town in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola located on a small promontory overlooking the Piedmontese shore of Lake Maggiore, about 5 km north of the town of Verbania.

The village rises on the slopes of Monte Carciago, becoming a popular spot in the tourist area as it is halfway between the lake and the mountains. Thanks to its nature and its position always exposed to sunlight, Ghiffa is a very green and lush city. This is highlighted by the dense gardens that surround the many luxury villas, one of them was built by Troubetzkoy, a Russian prince and general.

The Russian prince, together with his wife, the American opera singer Ada Winans, decided to move to a quiet place suitable for the cultivation of different plants, as he is an expert in botany. Thus, they chose Lake Maggiore, in particular the small hamlet of Susello di Ghiffa, where they bought a large piece of land and began to plant flowers and shrubs from all over the world. Troubetzkoy himself was for a long time defined as the “importer of palms” because he planted a large number of palms on the shores of Lake Maggiore (there are even 400 specimens), the same palms found in the gardens of Moscow.

Today Villa Ada is in a state of neglect but a modern residence with the same name was built behind it. This atmosphere dominated by exotic and luxuriant plants makes a stay in Ghiffa very pleasant.

What should be seen and visited in Ghiffa

Sacro Monte of Ghiffa

On the slopes of Mount Carciago, Ghiffa is located near the Natural Reserve of the Sacro Monte della Santissima Trinità of Ghiffa; it is a vast wooded extension whose main religious focus is represented by the Sanctuary of the Holy Trinity.

The complex is located in a splendid panoramic position with a wonderful view of Lake Maggiore and in 2003 it was included by UNESCO on the UNESCO World Heritage List together with six other Piedmontese and three Lombard Sacred Mountains. The ascent to the Sacro Monte starts from the center of Ghiffa, along the mule track that passes through Ronco. Once you have reached the Sacro Monte, it is advisable to visit the Chapel of San Giovanni Battista, the Sanctuary of the Holy Trinity, the Coronation Chapel and the Via Crucis complex.

In the area, equipped with picnic tables, you will find a restaurant, a fitness trail and a visitor center.

Museum of the Art of the Hat

The history of Ghiffa has been characterized by an important industrial evolution, which began in 1881 thanks to the historic Panizza hat factory, where headgear of all kinds was made from rabbit felt.

Production was artisanal but on a large scale. After a century of activity, the hat factory closed its doors, transforming itself into the Museum of the Art of the Hat, whose headquarters are located inside the old buildings of the company.

Here it is possible to admire the ancient machinery, the various tools used and the products made in this historic company.

Church of San Maurizio

The Parish Church of San Maurizio stands on an isolated hill and dates back to the 12th century. In fact, the first construction of this church dates back to 1125, but in 1547 it was completely rebuilt which gave the building its current features and features.

Church of Santa Maria Assunta

It is located in the hamlet of Susello and is a true national monument dating back to the 12th century. It has a Lombard-style gabled profile with neo-Gothic pinnacles placed on the vertex and two characteristic rooms, introduced by arches, on the sides of the sixteenth-century portal. Inside it preserves some frescoes of great value.

What to do in and around Ghiffa

• visit the Fiera of SS.Trinity: it is one of the main events taking place in Ghiffa. It is usually held between June and August and is divided into several appointments over the three months
• reach (also by bus) the neighboring cities of Verbania with its beautiful Villa Taranto also Cannero Riviera, a famous Riviera town on the lake known for its citrus fruits and its castles suspended over the water
• take the numerous hiking and trekking routes that the nearby mountains offer. For example, those that retrace the ancient Cadorna Line or 20 km from Ghiffa you can reach the Lake Maggiore Zipline

Tips about where to sleep in Ghiffa

These are just some of the accommodation facilities in Ghiffa. You can find all the hotels, B & Bs and campsites where you can spend a stay or a holiday in Ghiffa on Lake Maggiore here.

How to get to Ghiffa

It is possible to reach Ghiffa:

• by car: from the A26, exit at Verbania and continue along the SS33 of Lake Maggiore along the lake heading north to Ghiffa
• by train: the railway station of reference is that of Verbania-Pallanza. From here reach the Verbania-Pallanza Tribunale stop by Bus 1. Then continue with Bus 3 from Verbania-Pallanza Tribunale towards Ghiffa