THE ITINERARY IS ACCESSIBLE FOR TOURISTS WITH SPECIFIC NEEDS (Project "FOR ALL Tourism for All All Tourists")
Minimum duration: 1 day
Difficulty of the route: low
Length of the route in km: 2.5 km
LOCATION DESCRIPTION
Towards the end of Lake Maggiore is Arona, the primary seat of the territorial domains of the Borromeo family, which for centuries had a strong influence on the area around the lake. The town is known for being the birthplace of San Carlo Borromeo and for his 23.40 m high statue. It is full of varied historical references: from prehistoric, Celtic and Roman materials, from the Renaissance to Baroque and Art Nouveau.
Arona has the charm of the natural beauty of Lake Maggiore, the Lagoni di Mercurago park and places to spend relaxing moments on the lakefront or in the streets and squares for shopping and entertainment.
INFORMATION
PARKING:
In Piazzale Aldo Moro, in front of the station, there is free parking or parking spaces (8 spaces) reserved for the disabled.
There are also many parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities near the lakefront and the city's main tourist and public attractions.
MUNICIPAL POLICE:
Disabled persons in possession of a disability badge may enter Arona 's limited traffic zone (ZTL) , but are obliged to inform the Municipal Police Headquarters within 7 days of their transit of the number plate of the vehicle used and the details of the holder of the disability badge.
Email: protocollo@comune.arona.no.it - Tel: +39 0322 231218/238 – +39 331 5359636
TOURIST OFFICE:
Largo Pietro Vidale 2 - Arona - Tel. +39 0322 243601
Email turismo.arona@comune.arona.no.it
ACCESSIBLE MUNICIPAL TOILETS
at the Tourist Office in Largo P. Vidale 2 - Arona
at Navigazione Lago Maggiore - Largo Alpini - Arona
WHAT TO SEE
Three accessible routes are recommended for enjoying the town of Arona:
Lakeside Panoramic Route - landscape
From the station car park, a 1 km walk along the lake to the south takes you to the pedestrian zone or the cycle path. The route is totally flat except for two short sections. The first is 29.5 m long and has a slight uphill slope with a maximum gradient of 5%. At the end of the small climb, the trail crosses the small bridge over the Vevera stream and continues along a gentle 38 m descent with a maximum gradient of 5%. Parallel to the tarmac cycle path is the self-locking pedestrian path, which is comfortable enough for both prams and pushchairs. The path is dotted with numerous benches from which you can admire the view of the lake. Lush trees provide shelter from the sun and coolness for those who want to linger. In summer there is a refreshment area with an adjoining bar, a beach umbrella and deckchair service, a children's playground and a beach volleyball court.
Panoramic Route
From Piazzale Aldo Moro you can head towards the city centre, with the possibility to ask for information at the Tourist Office in front of the station. From here you can take another interesting nature-historical walk of 1.3 km. The route to the centre begins on a smooth cobbled pavement and continues along a well-paved lakeside promenade with an excellent playground to the left and a view of the lake to the right, with the famous Borromeo family Castle of Angera in the background. After 400 m on the left is the Arona fountain.
Further along is the landing from which boats depart for Angera and the Borromean Islands. Coffee shops, restaurants and ice-cream parlours offer places to stop and eat, as well as countless benches. Here the path is made of concrete grit slabs. For getting on and off the pavements every 50 m there are slides about 1.10 m long with a height difference of 10 cm. The walk ends in Piazza del Popolo, paved in marble.
Historical and Cultural Route
Park your car at the landing stage, cross the road and walk along the Corso della Repubblica to your right, lined with shops and boutiques.
You arrive at Corso Cavour, which is paved with cobblestones, some of which can make it a little difficult for both electric and manual wheelchairs. Another obstacle is encountered if you want to visit St Anne's Church (about 100 m away) due to the entrance step and lack of staff. Corso Cavour is both the historical and commercial heart of the city. From here you can reach Piazza San Graziano, where you will find the Archaeological and Mineralogical Museums as well as the town's Municipal Library.
From Piazza San Graziano you can continue the tour by visiting the Church of Santa Maria, where San Carlo received the Holy Rite of Baptism, and where Gaudenzio Ferrari's important Polyptych is on display. Getting there can be difficult. There are two possibilities: the first is a steep flight of steps; the second, which is easier, is to continue along Vicolo del Mulino and then turn left and walk up Via Bottelli, at the end of which you turn left again to reach Santa Maria. The church is accessible via a small 1 m long iron ramp with a 6 cm slope. The very heavy door can be opened by pushing with some force. The interior is accessible except for the altar and the confessionals. However, this solution can also be tiring and dangerous for unaccompanied persons.
The colossus of San Carlo, the symbol of Arona, is not accessible as there are stairs even behind the monument.
OVERALL ACCESSIBILITY DESCRIPTION:
The route along the lake is very easily accessible for people with reduced mobility, although some difficulties may be encountered in the historic centre due to some climbs and a cobbled pavement that is not always uniform.
Path maker: Fabrizio Marta - Rotex
Author of texts: Fabrizio Marta - Rotex
