Did you know that Italy is home to one of the tallest statues in the world that can be visited, a structure so imposing and innovative for its time that it even inspired Lady Liberty, the famous Statue of Liberty in New York?
This is the statue of St. Charles Borromeo, affectionately known as “Sancarlone, “ which will officially reopen to the public on Sunday, March 1, 2026. To celebrate the inauguration of the 2026 season, two special guided tours will be available, at 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
It is the perfect opportunity to discover why this colossus, which has dominated the Arona landscape for over three centuries, is not just a piece of history, but a work of engineering that changed the world.
Sancarlone: a 35-meter giant born from a 17th-century genius
But who is this giant that welcomes you as soon as you arrive on the Novara side of Lake Maggiore? The statue is dedicated to St. Charles Borromeo, a central figure in the Milanese Church, and is located in Arona, his hometown.
It was commissioned in the 17th century by his cousin, Cardinal Federico Borromeo (yes, the one mentioned by Manzoni in The Betrothed!), to celebrate the spiritual greatness and work of the saint after his canonization.
The work, directed by architect Giovanni Battista Crespi, known as Il Cerano, lasted almost a century, from 1614 to 1697. The numbers are still impressive today:the statue measures a total of 35.10 meters in height. To give you an idea of its size, the head alone is 2.40 meters high and the arm is 9.10 meters long.
For about two centuries, this monument remained unrivalled as the tallest statue in the world, silently watching over the waters of the lake and becoming a landmark for pilgrims and travelers.
Why New York owes everything to Arona: the all-Italian engineering secret
This is where the story gets really fascinating, especially if you love international curiosities. There is an invisible but steel (or rather copper) thread connecting Arona to the Big Apple. When French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi began designing the Statue of Liberty, he faced a huge engineering problem: how to build such a colossal structure that would not collapse under its own weight or the force of the wind?
Bartholdi studied the designs for the Sancarlone, the only work in the world at the time that had succeeded in such an undertaking. The technique used in Arona—hammered copper plates mounted on a stone and iron core—became the model for New York.
This connection is so well recognized that in New York, at the foot of Lady Liberty, a commemorative plaque explicitly mentions the Colossus of Arona as an inspirational model. In essence, by visiting the Sancarlone, you are entering the “DNA” of America’s most famous monument.
A visit to the Colossus of Arona: a dizzying experience
Forget the usual museum visits where everything is behind glass. At Sancarlone, the experience is physical. Once you cross the threshold of the granite base, the ascent begins. The first step is the outdoor panoramic terrace, equipped with telescopes, from which you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Lake Maggiore and the majestic Rocca di Angera.
But it is for those who dare that the best part comes. Via a narrow spiral staircase and a subsequent steep ship’s ladder, you can climb right into the head of the saint. You will arrive at the highest point, where you can look outside through small strategic holes corresponding to the eyes, nostrils, and ears of San Carlo.
Seeing the world through the eyes of a giant is an experience that will make you feel, for a moment, like you are part of history.
Your ticket also gives you access to the park with its beautiful sculptures by Marco Mantovani.
Your afternoon in Arona continues in the statue’s beautiful park and botanical garden, perfect places for a refreshing break among centuries-old trees and picnic areas. Here you can immerse yourself in a unique contemporary art trail: the garden is home to sculptures by Marco Mantovani (1921-2005), an internationally renowned neo-illuminist sculptor.
As you walk through the greenery, you will encounter works such as “Metamorphosis” and “Man Prostrated by Suffering and Pain, “ which invite reflection on the meaning of life and destiny. It is a fascinating contrast: on the one hand, the imposing Baroque spirituality of the Sancarlone, and on the other, the modern elegance of Mantovani’s works.
Inside the complex, you can also visit the Church on the Hill, dedicated to the saint, thus completing a total immersion in the culture of the area.
Useful information for visiting the Statue of Carlo Borromeo in Arona (from Sunday, March 1, 2026)
If you are already planning your Sunday outing from Milan, here is everything you need to know:
📍Where: Piazzale San Carlo, Arona (NO).
⏱️ 2026 reopening hours (from March 1): from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last admission at 4:30 p.m.).
🗿 Guided tours: 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
🎟️ Prices:
- 13 euros: full price ticket (park entrance, terrace, and internal staircase).
- €8: reduced (6-16 years old).
- 5 euros: people with disabilities and holders of the Piedmont Museum Pass.
📞 Contact: 0322 249 669 | statuasancarlo@ambrosiana.it | www.statuasancarlo.it