Description of the attraction
Cannobio is a resort town on Lake Lago Maggiore, whose history dates back to the times of Ancient Rome - this is evidenced by the sarcophagi of the 2-3rd century BC discovered here, now stored in the local Palazzo della Rajone.
The first documentary mention of Cannobio dates back to 909. In the Middle Ages, the city was a center for the production of wool and leather tanning. In 1207, Cannobio received the status of administrative autonomy, and at the end of the 13th century, the aforementioned Palazzo della Rajone was built here.
In 1522, an icon depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary was suddenly bled in the city, and soon after that a terrible plague epidemic broke out, which devastated the coastal towns and villages. Only by some miracle, Cannobio and its inhabitants remained safe and sound. Religious leaders saw the Lord's providence in this, and Cardinal Charles Borromeo ordered to build a chapel in the city, in which the very icon of the Virgin Mary is kept to this day. Another church in Cannobio, Santuario della Pieta, is dedicated to the same event.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, Cannobio's economy flourished. Residential buildings "stepped over" the boundaries of the medieval city center and reached the lake shore. It was then that some major estates were built, including Palazzo Omachini and Palazzo Pironi.
In 1863, a highway was opened connecting Cannobio with Switzerland, which provoked a new round of economic development - numerous factories and plants appeared in the city. And during the Second World War, the inhabitants of Cannobio rebelled against the fascist regime and announced the creation of the Republic of Ossola, which, however, lasted only six days - from September 2 to September 9, 1944.
Today Cannobio is a popular tourist resort with numerous attractions. One of them is the Church of San Vittore, built in the 11th century and significantly rebuilt in 1733-1749. Its bell tower dates back to the 13th century. A huge square, located on the city embankment and bearing the name of King Victor Emmanuel III, was restored in 2003-2004. It was re-paved with cobblestones and granite slabs and wide steps were erected leading to the lake shore. Some of the historic buildings in the old part of the city have also been renovated.
In the northern part of Cannobio, there is a wide sandy beach awarded with the European Blue Flag for its cleanliness and infrastructure.
