1ª Traversata della Nonna 2026 — Pella

Saint Julius of Novara arrived at the heart of the lake during the 4th century, seeking to transform a site then considered abandoned into a spiritual center. Today, swimmers retracing his gaze from the western banks near Ronco find a landscape defined by that same isolation and historical depth. As you enter the water for the 1st edition of the Traversata della Nonna, you are not merely crossing a basin; you are navigating waters that witnessed the 10th-century drama of Queen Willa. Facing the might of Otto II, the Queen turned the island into an 'inexpugnabile municipium', constructing massive fortifications to withstand a two-month siege. While the island's castle was lost in the 19th century, the legacy of that struggle remains etched in the local topography, visible as you track your line across the lake.

## The water and the landscape The lakebed and surrounding terrain hold stories far older than the medieval walls. Excavations near Carcegna have brought to light Gaulish, Gallo-Roman, and Etruscan remnants, including the ruins of a fortification of likely Lombard origin that still watches over the eastern slopes. As you swim, the view is dominated by the Sacro Monte di Orta, a UNESCO site where devotional chapels descend toward the water through dense vegetation, offering a serene contrast to the intensity of the race. On the opposite side, the minaret-like tower of Villa Crespi serves as a distinct, Moorish-inspired landmark on the horizon. This setting has long been a hub for water-borne activity, tracing back to the inaugural European Rowing Championships of 1893.

## Race day logistics Scheduled for June 21, 2026, the event offers distances of 400m, 1000m, and 2000m, inviting participants to test themselves against the same currents that have shaped the history of the Cusio basin. The logistics are managed by the Canottieri Lago d'Orta, ensuring a race environment that respects the calm, deep character of these waters. If your season includes a series of local challenges, you might consider linking this experience with the Ice Swim Xmas Cup, which offers a starkly different, winter-focused perspective of the same lake, or the L'antica Via del Legname, occurring just one week later. The event provides a race pack for all attendees as you prepare to cross from the shores of Ronco toward the markers at Punta di Crabbia.