The small town of Orta San Giulio lies on the eastern shore of Lake Orta. It is situated on a peninsular of rock that juts into the lake with

a lizard-like shape.

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Old house and palaces cluster by the lake and on the lower slopes of the Sacro Monte mountain that arises in the centre of the peninsular.

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The main square, called the sitting-room of Orta, is surrounded on three sides by porticos and cafes. The fourth and western side is open to the lake; from here boats ply to the island opposite.

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