Lake Orta (Italian: Lago d’Orta) is a lake in northern Italy, west of Lake Maggiore. It has been so named since the 16th century, but was previously called the 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 north end is about 6 kilometers (4 miles) by rail south of the Gravellona-Toce railway station, itself located halfway between Ornavasso and Omegna.