Perched on a small promontory, the town is renowned for the Sacro Monte
Seen from the lake, the Sacro Monte of the Holy Trinity appears as a tiny white dot nestled in the greenery of Mount Carciago. One of Ghiffa’s true gems—a place with its feet in the lake and its head among the trees—it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List just over 20 years ago, alongside six other Piedmontese Sacred Mountains and three in Lombardy. The monumental complex is located in a splendid panoramic position with a striking view of Lake Maggiore; the ascent to the Sacro Monte begins from the centre of Ghiffa, along the mule track passing through Ronco.
Once at the Sacro Monte, be sure to visit the Chapel of St. John the Baptist, the Sanctuary of the Holy Trinity, the Chapel of the Coronation, and the Via Crucis complex. The area, equipped with picnic tables, also offers a restaurant, a fitness trail, and a visitor centre. Small and unassuming, the oratory would appear to have drawn countless pilgrims over the years. This growth was fuelled by the tradition that saw the three-faced effigy of Christ as a significant site of miraculous healing. From 1605 to 1617, the main body of the Sanctuary was built, while subsequent renovations between 1646 and 1659 led to the near completion of the building, coinciding with the decision to create the Sacro Monte complex. In 1646, the bell tower was added, in 1691, the portico on the church façade was built and the church was finally completed in 1904.
THE ART OF HAT-MAKING
The history of Ghiffa has been marked by significant industrial development, which began in 1881 thanks to the historic Panizza Hat Factory, specialised in the production of fine fur felt hats. After a century of activity, the factory closed its doors and was transformed into the Museum of the Art of Hat-making, located within the old company buildings. The museum showcases the story and activity of the hat factory through historical documents and photographs, displaying antique tools used in handcrafted production, many historical machines, hat samples, advertising posters, and factory trademarks. The Panizza hats are accompanied by explanations revealing the secrets of the felting process and a selection of hats from various eras is on display.
Villa Ada Troubetzkoy, a striking residence built in 1866 by the Russian prince Pyotr Troubetzkoy, stands just 100 metres from the shores of the lake.
A STORY FROM TIMES GONE BY
he prince and his wife, the American opera singer Ada Winans, met in Florence, where she was perfecting her singing technique and he was carrying out diplomatic duties on behalf of the Tsar. In 1864, with the birth of their first son, Pierre, Ada ended her career to dedicate herself entirely to her family. The prince was a great botany enthusiast (especially palms) and, seeking a peaceful place suitable for cultivating various plant species, they settled on Lake Maggiore. By the summer of 1867, the grounds were already filled with rare and exotic plants: the first Pinus strobus arrived here from America and was surrounded by oaks, boxwoods, Australian eucalyptuses, blue and deodar cedars, and araucarias.
The villa became a meeting place for many famous figures and artists, drawn by the beauty of the location and the warm hospitality of the Troubetzkoys. These included ‘La Divina’ Eleonora Duse, who loved waking up early in the morning to admire the sunrise. The painter Daniele Ranzoni, who spent all his time at Villa Ada when he was not in Milan, created several works there: he painted the portrait of the princess on one of the walls in the house and decorated the low walls along the stream with artistic vases.
Due to a bad financial investment and the many expenses required to sustain their lifestyle, in 1890 the prince and princess were forced to sell their home to Countess Ceriana Rocca, but they did not leave Ghiffa.
Today, behind Villa Ada—restored after years of neglect— a modern residence offers visitors a haven of relaxation amid art and nature.
