Omegna


Omegna is a comune in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola in the Italian region Piedmont, located about northeast of Turin and about southwest of Verbania at the northernmost point of Lago d’Orta and traversed by the Nigoglia, the lake's sole outflow.
A vibrant street market takes place every Thursday morning along the lakeside boulevard. A daily ferry service links Omegna with the surrounding towns and villages along the lake.

History

The presence of ancient settlements in the area has been confirmed by excavations conducted in the frazione of Cireggio, with archaeological findings dating back to the late Bronze and Iron Ages. Omegna is first mentioned in 1221 AD, when the population swore allegiance to the commune of Novara.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Omegna developed into an industrial center, serving as Italy's primary production hub for pots and small household appliances for many years. During this period, the population grew significantly due to immigration. In 1913 Omegna was connected with Pallanza by an electrical tramway line. It was declared a city in 1939. During World War II, Omegna served as a center for partisan resistance against the German-Fascist occupation.

Main sights

  • Church of Sant'Ambrogio. It is a late-Romanesque building with a nave and two aisles, with side chapels. The bell tower is still mostly the medieval one. The interior is now in Baroque style and houses an altarpiece by Fermo Stella da Caravaggio and an urn with the relics of St. Vith, patron saint of Omegna.
  • Ponte Antico, over the Strona river.
  • Porta della Valle, also known as Porta Romana. It is the only surviving one among the five medieval gates of Omegna.
  • Museum of Arts and Industry Forum.

    Twin towns

  • Lodi, Lombardy