Discovering the Borromean Islands

The backdrop of these Borromean Islands is Lake Maggiore: here there is a small archipelago made up of three main islands, an islet and a rock. The three main islands are called Isola Madre, Isola Bella, and Isola dei Pescatori, then there is the Isolino di San Giovanni and the Rock of Malghera.

They are suggestive islands and contain unique beauties that can be easily reached by boat from Stresa, Arona, Angera, and Baveno. These islands are different from each other and some of them require reservations, as well as ferry reservations. But it is really worthwhile to discover these wonderful and unique places in the world one by one.

Isola Madre

It is so called because it is the largest of the archipelago and the furthest from the mainland. The Bishop of Novara sold the island to the Borromeo family in the 16th century, who built a fascinating palace that preserves a unique cultural heritage. Before the arrival of the Borromeo family, the island was known as San Vittore, with a few houses, a church, and many olive trees. Today it is possible to visit the palace and the wonderful gardens that surround it, as well as the decorations designed by Filippo Cagnola, who took care of the stairs and pergolas. Rare and exotic plants collected by Vitaliano IX, a botany enthusiast, were also introduced to the island.

Isola Madre reaches 8 hectares and is the largest island in Verbano. After visiting the rooms of the building, do not miss a visit to the imposing Cashmere cypress, which arrived here in 1862 from the Himalayas in a package of very fresh seeds and over the years has become the symbol of Isola Madre.

Isola Bella

As the name suggests, this island is truly beautiful and it took 400 years of work by architects, engineers, plasterers, and painters. Once it was a simple rock inhabited by fishermen until the arrival of Vitaliano IV in 1630, considered to be the founder of this beautiful island. Here you will see a magnificent palace, spectacular fountains unique in the world, the Berthier Gallery, and a mosaic of over 130 paintings, including masterpieces by Raphael, Titian, Correggio, and many others. Palazzo Borromeo houses the Throne Room, the Queen's Room, the Tapestry Room, and the Caves, which are designed to amaze guests by transporting them to a magical underwater world.

Also beautiful are the Azalea Parterre, a feast for the eyes, and the Garden of Love, made up of box hedges that create a green embroidery visible from the top of the terraces.

The island of fishermen

Smaller and more modest, and above all inhabited, the fishermen's island is the perfect place to have lunch or dinner on Lake Maggiore. Its village is suggestive and absolutely worth visiting.