The Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, perched on its “balcony” overlooking the Borromeo Gulf, is one of the most intriguing historical sites on Lake Maggiore. You reach it from the lake by climbing a flight of 80 steps, or you can descend the 240 steps from the car park above.

Picturesquely located on a sheer cliff above the water, the Hermitage was founded in the 12th century by the merchant Alberto Besozzi of Arolo (Leggiuno), who on being shipwrecked took refuge in a cave and vowed devotion to St Catherine. In 1195 he built a tiny, isolated church in recognition of his deliverance. The present buildings date from the late 13th – early 14th centuries.

In the 13th century the Hermitage was home to a community of Augustinian monks, followed in 1379 by the Ambrosian Hermits and in 1649 by the Carmelites. Today the monastery is run by a community of Oblate Benedictines.

The Hermitage comprises three buildings datable to the late 13th-early 14th centuries: the southern convent, the small convent, and the church.

The southern convent was built in the 15th century and later altered, in 1624, by Father Giulio Martignoni, after the old wooden structure collapsed into the lake.  Access is through a round-arched portico with granite columns.

The small convent, located opposite the winepress courtyard, is built on 13th century walls and embellished by a pointed-arch portico. The refectory is on the ground floor, the monks’ cells on the first floor; above the windows of the cells there are traces of the 16th century fresco depicting the “Martyrdom of St Catherine of Alexandria”.

The inner courtyard of the complex opens onto the church, whose portico is formed of four rounded arches in Renaissance style. The bell tower with its sheer drop to the lake was built in the 14th century; it has an open belfry with double lancet windows, made of Angera stone.

HOW TO GET THERE

A8 Milan – “Laghi” toll motorway – A26 Genoa – Gravellona toll motorway, Sesto C. – Vergiate exit, continue in the direction of Laveno M.

FURTHER DETAILS

Open Hours
From November to February, just on Saturday, Sunday and holidays: from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 17.00.
From December 23 until January 6: from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 17.00.
March, every day: from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 17.00
From April 1 to 14 June: everyday tutti from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 18.00
From June 15 until September 15: everyday from 9.00 until 18.00
From September 16 until October 31: everyday from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 18.00

Booking:
Required for parties

CONTACT

Isola Bella is one of the Borromean Islands, about 400 metres off Stresa, and can be reached in a few minutes from Verbania, Baveno, Stresa and Arona.

The island is a natural treasure made even richer by human intervention; it has always been one of the favourite visitor attractions of Lake Maggiore, not to be missed if you want unparalleled views of the lake and its surroundings. Isola Bella is dominated by its sumptuous Baroque palace, along with a luxuriant Italian-style garden, which reaches a height of 37 metres and is laid out on ten terraces. Many parts of the palace are open to visitors: richly furnished rooms and opulent salons embellished with priceless artworks.

The garden is full of flowers and exotic plants of great rarity, which grow thanks to the particularly mild climate of the Borromean Gulf. Everything on the island has been designed to create a scenic effect, including the “Theatre” constructed at the end of the superimposed terraces, dominated by a statue of a Unicorn, the heraldic emblem of the Borromeos, which is flanked by statues representing Nature and Art. The huge, extraordinary garden is further decorated with ponds, fountains and a plethora of statues dating from the second half of the 17th century. The white peacocks that wander over the manicured lawns add their grace to this enchanting spot.

Adjacent to the palace and the gardens is part of the village which used to occupy the island, with some restaurants and souvenir shops.

HOW TO GET THERE
The island can be reached by service boat or motor launch from Stresa, Verbania, Baveno and Arona.
For all services of transportation click here

FURTHER DETAILS
Access:
From March to October

Price: € 13,00. Kids: € 6,50

Booking:
for guided tours in the palace.
Adult groups: € 45,00. Kids groups: € 30,00

CONTACT
Name
Borromeo Turismo
Email
info@isoleborromee.it
Web site
www.borromeoturismo.it
Phone number
+39 0323 30556

Lake Maggiore is renowned in Italy and abroad for the numerous beach areas  situated all along the shores of the lake.

The Cannobio and Cannero Riviera’s beaches received in 2010 the award “Blue Flag” for strict water quality and safety standards.

More beautiful beaches along the Lake Maggiore are situated in Ghiffa,  Oggebbio and Verbania: some of them are known as Località Sasso, Località Isolino, Lido di Suna and Isolino Vecchio di Fondotoce.

Also Lake Mergozzo offers small and nice beaches, while on the Lombard shore the splendid Tronzano beach in Maccagno and the Zenna beach in Pino are the right place for swimming and sunbathing.

POINTS OF INTEREST

The Settimane Musicali (Musical Weeks) of Stresa and Lake Maggiore is one of the prime events in the Lake Maggiore area.

Started in 1961 by the aristocratic Venetian lawyer Italo Trentinaglia de Daverio, the event has become a landmark in international classical music festivals.

During the Festival internationally famous artists and ensembles perform in churches and historic buildings all over the province. Among these are the enchanting Palazzo Borromeo on Isola Bella, the highly atmospheric Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, the Castello Visconti of San Vito in Massino Visconti, and the historic Rocca Borromeo of Angera.

The programme of the Settimane Musicali is spread out over the season. It starts with the Easter Concert, continues with the Spring Concerts, after which the main events begin with the Musical Meditations. Concerts include a range of music from symphonies and chamber music to instrumental and vocal recitals.

Each series of concerts finds inspiration in a theme such as cinema or the blues. Classic composers like Bach, Haydn, Bizet and Puccini are given their rightful place, but there is also room for modern composers such as Morricone, Gershwin and Piazzolla.

Since 1999 the Festival has extended its programme to include 30 concerts a season, and has collaborated with other cultural bodies to encourage the enjoyment of classical music through other art forms.

HOW TO GET THERE
A26 going in the direction of Gravellona Toce. Exit at Baveno – Stresa

FURTHER DETAILS
Booking:
Required

Access:
From the third week of July until September

Price:
from € 20 to € 50

CONTACT
Name Settimane Musicali di Stresa e del Lago Maggiore
Email
info@stresafestival.eu
Web site
www.stresafestival.eu
Phone number
+39 0323 31095