Sunshine, calm waters, green landscapes and picture perfect towns: Lake Maggiore is a favorite destination for those who enjoy quiet holidays and historical sites. One of the highlights of the lake are the Isole Borromee, three stunning islands located right in front of Stresa, once the private residences of the influential Borromeo family. Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola Superiore (also known as Isola dei Pescatori) are three true gems, full of tradition and natural beauty. The islands can be reached by ferry and can be visited in one day, together with the Rocca D’Angera, a spectacular fortification on the coast of the lake.
Isola Bella earns its name thanks to the gorgeous blooming flowers that adorn it in the spring and summer and to the priceless architectural treasures scattered around it. Up until 1630, the island, owned by the Borromeo family, was nothing but a rock inhabited by fishermen. At the beginning of the 17th century, however, two members of the family -Giulio Cesare III and Carlo III- started the ambitious project to build the palazzo we can see today, a stunning palace that was finished only in 1948, when Vitaliano IX Borromeo built the Salone Nuovo, the northern façade and the great docks. The palazzo is a wonderful example of baroque architecture: the beautifully furnished halls feature incredible views of the lake and many renowned artists’ exclusive paintings, precious furniture, marbles, neo-classical stuccos, shining armors and Flemish tapestries made of silk and gold. From March until October 2015, the palace also host a temporary exhibit “The enchanted islands – The Grand Tour and landscape painting in the Borromeo domain: from Gaspar Van Wittel to Luigi Ashton” that reconstructs the story of the area featuring paintings, drawings, engravings and literary pieces from around the late 17th to the 19th centuries.
Around the palace, a stunning Italian-style garden spreads from the gates all the way down to the lake, and is dotted with statues, obelisks, imposing stone stairs and balustrades. Both the gardens and palazzo are worth a visit: the entrance ticket to the island cost 15 euros and can be purchased online at http://www.isoleborromee.it
Isola Madre, too, is well worth a visit. The biggest of the Borromee islands, it overlooks the Pallanza shores and, compared to Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori, looks secluded from the view. The first project to transform the island into a private residence started with Earl Lancillotto Borromeo, who chose to move there thanks to the mild climate of the island. Today Isola Madre is a little green oasis, famous worldwide for its botanical collections featuring rare vegetable essences hailing from all over the world. In the 1500s, the island was turned first into an orchard, then into an olive grove and, in the end, into a citrus grove. Today, this British-fashioned park offers beautiful and shady paths ideal for strolling and for admiring the panorama.
Isola Superiore, or Isola dei Pescatori, is the smallest of the three islands and is the ideal spot to pick for lunch: both the Trattoria Imbarcadero and the Ristorante Casabella offer solid local fare and romantic atmospheres.
Not far from the islands, the Rocca d’Angera proudly stands on a spur of rock and dominates the southern shores of Lake Maggiore. Located in a strategic position, it was the residence of the Visconti family from Verbano until the Borromeo family bought it in 1449.
Inside the fortress, visitors can wander through the great halls and discover the Sala delle Maioliche, an extraordinary pottery collection counting more than 300 pieces. While at the Rocca di Angera, make sure you pay a visit to the Museum of Dolls and Toys, the greatest in Europe. Founded in 1988 by Princess Bona Borromeo Arese, the Museum features an amazing collection of more than one thousand dolls built since the 1700s with various materials, including wood, wax, papier-mâché, porcelain, composition and cloth.
Isola Bella and Isola Madre are linked by ferry from Stresa, Arona, Pallanza, Locarno (Switzerland) and Laverno. For more information, tickets and timetables visit the Navigazione Lago Maggiore website at www.navigazionelaghi.it.
To reach the area by car from Milan take the Autostrada dei Laghi, direction Gravellona Toce, exit Carpugnino. The area can also be reached by train from Milan, Turin and Genoa.
This spring/summer Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Rocca d’Angera are open to the public every day from Friday March 20th to Sunday October 25th, 2015.
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