Isola San Giulio View. Church bell tower on the left.
Graffiti at Isola San Giulio, Lago Orta
Admittedly, unashamedly, Lago Orta in the lake region of Italy is one of my favorite haunts. Isola San Giulio, located in the shadow of Madonna del Sasso high above the lake and just off shore of the village of Orto San Giulio, is a treasure.
It is not only the Way of Silence and the Way of Meditation which wend their way through the narrow lanes of the island that make this such a unique and memorable place; it is also the secrets of monks inside the Basilica di San Giulio which add intrigue and even some humor to the quiet meditative interior of the church.
Study the graffiti etched in to the frescoes on columns in the church and surprises await. Amidst the clutter of too many modern scars are Latin notes made by monks in centuries past.
“The weather is cold today.”
“Brother Paul is asleep.”
“I am bored.”
“The weather is cold today.”
It is as if the monks, bored, cold, jealous or otherwise distracted took advantage of early morning or evening services in the dark, shadowed corners of the basilica to add a note of discontent or criticism; no worries that the surface used were 15th or early 16th Century frescoes by artists of their day.
Graffiti scarred frescoes – Basilica di San Giulio
When you next visit the lake region, please take some time to visit this intriguing island in one of the least known lakes in Italy.
IF YOU GO:
Isola San Giulio: Information about the lake area, hours for various visits and other helpful details.
Navigazione Lago d’Orta: Timetables and information about ferry schedules on Lake Orta.