Cannobio is considered one of the most beautiful destinations on Lake Maggiore, with an intact medieval historic centre and a natural gorge, the Sant’Anna Gorge, among the most evocative in the entire area.
The medieval historic centre
Cannobio’s ancient heart preserves buildings of great value, such as the Romanesque Town Tower, the Palazzo della Ragione, Casa Pironi and Palazzo Omacini, which overlook the lakeside directly, offering one of the most photographed views of Lake Maggiore.
The Sanctuary of the Most Holy Pietà
Cannobio is also home to an important place of worship, the Sanctuary of the Most Holy Pietà, rebuilt at the behest of Saint Charles Borromeo in 1583. The sanctuary is linked to a miraculous event that took place in 1522, known as the miracle of the “Sacred Rib”, which made the site a destination for devotion far beyond local boundaries.
The Sant’Anna Gorge
About three kilometres from where the Cannobino stream flows into Lake Maggiore lies the Sant’Anna Gorge: over the centuries, water has eroded the rock walls of the narrow valley, creating a deep cleft through which the stream rushes. Two bridges allow visitors to cross the gorge from above: one medieval bridge, known as “dell’agostana”, reserved for pedestrians only, and a more modern one that also allows vehicles to pass. Right next to the gorge stands the Sanctuary of Saint Anne, built between 1630 and 1637: according to oral tradition, the church was erected as an ex voto following the plague of 1630-31, which hit the area hard.
Cannobio and the Cannobina Valley
Beyond its historic centre and the gorge, Cannobio is also the gateway to the Cannobina Valley, which stretches inland among small villages and landscapes still little known to mass tourism.
Cannobio on Lake Maggiore
Cannobio is a short distance from Cannero Riviera, another village on Lake Maggiore with which it shares charm and atmosphere. To explore its history and itineraries in greater depth, refer to the Lake District Tourist Board page.
From Cannobio, it is possible to head inland towards the Ossola area, with its vineyards: an opportunity for a tasting away from the lake.
A marina between past and present
Cannobio’s small harbour, once a point of reference for local fishermen, is now a lively tourist marina welcoming private boats and scheduled ferries bound for the lake’s other towns: a transformation that has preserved the village’s charm without altering its historic identity.
A village to photograph in every season
Thanks to the variety of its views, between the historic centre, gorge and lakeside, Cannobio is ideal for photography in every season of the year, with ever-changing light and atmospheres: one more reason for travel photography enthusiasts to return several times, discovering new details of this corner of Lake Maggiore on each visit.
One final idea: dedicating at least half a day to Cannobio, with a walk through the historic centre and a visit to the Gorge, allows visitors to fully appreciate the different sides of this Lake Maggiore village.
Historic centre, gorge and lakeside: three reasons to fall in love with Cannobio.
History, nature and legend: Cannobio in three words.
A gorge, a square, a historic centre to experience at a leisurely pace.
One final reflection on Cannobio: the variety of its landscapes, from the lake to the gorge, eloquently reflects the natural richness of this stretch of the Piedmontese shore.
History, nature and legend, in one small yet great village.
History, nature and legend, in one lakeside village.
Cannobio remains one of the most elegant villages on Lake Maggiore, with its historic centre overlooking the water and the Sant’Anna Gorge just minutes away: a combination of lakeside and natural scenery that makes it an unmissable stop for anyone visiting the Piedmontese shore of the lake.
