The Borromeo family in the Lake Maggiore area is undoubtedly one of the most influential names in centuries of history. From the Borromean Islands to the monuments located in the various towns overlooking the lake, among tourists and citizens alike, the esteem for St. Charles Borromeo seems truly inexhaustible.
It was precisely in Arona back in 1538 that Carlo Borromeo, bishop of Milan, was born and then moved to Milan about 20 years later, dedicating his life not only to prayer but also to important reforms for the Church. At his canonization, the archbishop of Milan and cousin of the saint, Federico Borromeo, decided to dedicate a statue to Charles in his home town, on a sacred mountain close to the city, so imposing that it could be seen even from the other side of the lake.
Giovanni Battista Crespi, therefore, called the Cerano, was commissioned to do the work, but it was finished many years later, in 1698. Copper plates, bronze, a set of rods and nails made the statue truly perfect, so much so that today it can be considered one of the giants of Italy. More than 23 meters high for the statue, positioned in turn on an 11-meter pedestal: the Sancarlone, as it was called, was solemn and had a charm all its own.
The interior of the statue is fully visitable. Thanks to small ladders, in fact, it is possible to reach the top, in groups of 6 people at a time who will be able, through the holes in the statue’s face, to enjoy a panorama that is unique in the world.
There are some very surprising legends and curiosities about the Sancarlone. It seems that the statue, for example, was the inspiration for Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, the man who designed the Statue of Liberty in New York. The artist, after seeing the Colossus of St. Charles and reading about the Colossus of Rhodes, was so fascinated and impressed by it that he wanted to repeat the masterpiece using new materials. Based on the design of two European giants, therefore, Bartholdi thought of bringing a symbol of great artistic significance to the New World as well, with the statue that today is one of the greatest monuments in the world.
