Lake Orta (Italian: Lago d'Orta; Lombard and Piedmontese: Lagh d'Òrta) or Cusio (Lombard and Piedmontese: Cusi; Latin: Lacus Cusius) is a lake in northern Italy, west of Lake Maggiore.

Lake Orta
Cusio
Lake Orta is located in Piedmont
Lake Orta
Lake Orta
LocationPiedmont
Coordinates45°49′02″N 8°24′24″E / 45.81722°N 8.40667°E / 45.81722; 8.40667
Primary inflowsunderground springs, Scarpia, Pellino, Plesna, Qualba, Fiumetta, Pescone
Primary outflowsNigoglia
Catchment area116 km2 (45 sq mi)
Basin countriesItaly
Max. length13.4 km (8.3 mi)
Max. width2.5 km (1.6 mi)
Surface area18.2 km2 (7.0 sq mi)
Average depth71.6 m (235 ft)
Max. depth143 m (469 ft)
Water volume1.3 km3 (1,100,000 acre⋅ft)
Residence time8.9 years
Surface elevation290 m (950 ft)
IslandsIsola San Giulio
SettlementsGozzano, Miasino, Nonio, Omegna, Orta San Giulio, Pella, Pettenasco, San Maurizio d'Opaglio

It has been so named since the 16th century, but was previously called Lago di San Giulio, after Saint Julius (4th century), the patron saint of the region. Its southern end is about 35 kilometers (22 miles) by rail to the northwest of the city of Novara (located on the main Turin-Milan line), while its northern end is about 6 kilometers (4 miles) by rail south of the Gravellona-Toce railway station, itself located halfway between Ornavasso and Omegna.

Its scenery is characteristically Italian, while San Giulio island has some picturesque buildings, and takes its name from the local saint, who lived in the 4th century. The island was fortified between the 5th and 6th centuries.[1]

Located around the lake are Orta San Giulio, built on a peninsula projecting from the east shore of the lake, Omegna at its northern extremity, Pettenasco to the east, and Pella to the west.

It is supposed that the lake is the remnant of a much larger sheet of water by which originally the waters of the Toce flowed south towards Novara. As the glaciers retreated the waters flowing from them diminished, and were gradually diverted into Lake Maggiore.

The inaugural European Rowing Championships were held on Lake Orta in 1893.[2]

Frequent ferry service connects towns and villages around the lake.

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Romanoni, Fabio (2023). La guerra d'acqua dolce. Navi e conflitti medievali nell'Italia settentrionale. Bologna: Clueb. p. 23. ISBN 978-88-31365-53-6. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  2. ^ "Event Information". International Rowing Federation. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
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  • Lake Orta at World Lake database[1]
  •   Media related to Lago d'Orta at Wikimedia Commons
  • Orta.net (in Italian and English) Pictures, history and curiosities about lake of Orta