Borgomanero
Borgomanero
The city of Borgomanero, with a population of over 21,000, is the second-largest city in the province of Novara in the Piedmont region.
It serves as an ideal starting point for exploring a range of picturesque destinations located in the provinces of Novara and Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, as well as around Lakes Orta and Maggiore. These lakes are among the ten most beautiful in Italy and are famous for their scenic landscapes, historic villas, and charming waterfronts.
Borgomanero is located roughly halfway between Novara and Verbania, in a flat basin surrounded by the hills of Santa Cristina, San Michele, Maggiate, Vergano-Colombaro, and Cureggio, near the border with Lombardy. The town center is crossed by the Agogna River, which originates on the southern slope of Mottarone, flows through it from northeast to southwest, and eventually reaches the Po River.
The first documented mention of settlements in the area dates back to the year 962, while the first official name of Borgomanero-Burgus Sancti Leonardi (Borgo San Leonardo) - derives from the Church of San Leonardo, which still exists today and is believed to have been built between 1125 and 1150. The town received its final name in the late 12th century from Giacomo Mainerio, the podestà (chief magistrate) appointed by Novara, who named it Borgo Mainerio and rebuilt the settlement into a fortress.
Between the 13th and 15th centuries, the town endured numerous sieges and wars due to power struggles between the regional centers of Novara, Milan, and Turin. In the mid-17th century, Borgomanero successfully survived the plague epidemic that devastated nearby towns by sealing off its gates.
In the early 19th century, Borgomanero lost its last fortifications and fully transformed into a modern commercial and economic center. A decade ago, it was recognized as one of Italy’s most prosperous small towns (and the only one in the Novara province) in the Borgo Felice ranking. Based on factors such as wealth, safety, healthcare access, environmental quality, and urban infrastructure, Borgomanero ranked 30th among 8,000 small towns in Italy.
Explore this place as part of Lake Orta !
Discover nearby villages, panoramic viewpoints, beaches, events and practical travel information around the lake.
How to get there?
Borgomanero serves as either the starting or intermediate station for the following Comazzi bus routes : Omegna-Borgomanero-Arona, Borgomanero-Alzo-Omegna, Borgomanero-Gozzano-Arona, Santhia-Romagnano-Arona, Borgomanero-Sesto Calende, Borgomanero-Stresa, Novara-Borgomanero-Omegna-Domodossola.
Additionally, the Novara-Domodossola railway line runs through the town, providing easy access to villages and cities such as Orta San Giulio, Miasino, Pettenasco, Omegna, Vogogna, and, of course, Novara and Domodossola.
Where to park?
You can leave your car at the large free municipal parking lot at Salvo D'Acquisto or in the underground parking near the railway station. Keep in mind that on Friday mornings, Borgomanero hosts a weekly market, making it challenging to find available parking spaces.
What else to see?
- San Leonardo Church;
- San Bartolomeo Church;
- Vergano Castle Vergano was built on Vergano Hill around the early 14th century. Over the years, it has been rebuilt and expanded multiple times. The only surviving part of the oldest structures is the entrance tower, constructed around 1470. The rest of the castle was converted into residential buildings, divided into four parts, and sold into private ownership. Therefore, it is not open to visitors. From Vergano Hill, there is a panoramic view of the city.
- Cantine Fontechiara, a winery producing wines under the Collina Novarese D.O.C. label.
What tourist routes are nearby.
- 4 tourist routes from visitborgomanero.it
- Top 10 excursions in Borgomanero from outdooractive.com
- 38 best hikes and treks near Borgomanero from komoot.com
- Best walking trails in Borgomanero, 75 routes, from wikiloc.com
What to see nearby
Related Lake Orta guides.
Other useful information.
The weekly market in Borgomanero takes place on Friday mornings along Viale Don Minzoni and the central streets of Viale Marazza, Corso Garibaldi, and Corso Roma. On market days, large areas in the city center are occupied by stalls, so finding parking nearby can be difficult.