Isola Pescatori (Fishermen’s Island), or Upper Island because of its more northerly situation than the other islands in the Gulf, is the most picturesque of the Borromean Islands, as well as the only one to be permanently inhabited. Distinctive features of its ancient little village are narrow lanes with characteristic two-storey houses, with long balconies traditionally used for drying fish; the island’s inhabitants earn their living mainly by fishing and tourism.
Its unmistakable skyline is punctuated by the pointed spire of the Church of San Vittore, which rises above the red roofs of the houses; its shore is always occupied by the little boats of its fifty residents. It becomes even more atmospheric in the evening, when the whole island is discreetly lit up, a living picture reflected in the calm waters of the lake.
On the island are little boutiques and renowned restaurants where you can eat freshly caught fish – a culinary pleasure for the humble and the famous alike. An anecdote recounts that in 1835 Mussolini and the other participants in the Stresa Conference came to the island one day on a whim, to try the area’s best-known dish of perch.
Once on the island you can’t miss the Church of San Vittore, a national monument, which still has its original apse with a single lancet window dating from the 11th century. Inside is a 16th century fresco of Sant’Agata, some 17th century paintings, and wooden busts of the apostles Peter and Andrew, the patron saints of fishermen.
HOW TO GET THERE
You can reach the island by the public service boat or private launch from the boat stations of Stresa, Arona, Verbania and Baveno.
CONTACT
Name
Gestione Governativa Navigazione Laghi – Lago Maggiore
Email
infomaggiore@navigazionelaghi.it
Address infomaggiore@navigazionelaghi.it
Web site
www.navigazionelaghi.it/home_e.html
Phone number
+39 0322 233200
Isola Madre is the largest and perhaps most characteristic of the three islands in the Borromean Gulf. Its palace displays furnishings from the historic residences of the Borromeo family, and contains some beautiful rooms, such as the Dolls’ Room, the Room of the Seasons and a room devoted to the Puppet Theatre.
The atmosphere of this enchanting place is magical; its immense garden of rare trees and exotic flowers, where peacocks and pheasants wander and budgerigars fly in freedom, has something of the fascination of a tropical land. The English-style garden of Isola Madre, landscaped in the early 19th century in a space of almost eight hectares, displays a flora which is a continual surprise and which is hard to find in other places.
It is famous for the amazing spectacle of its azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias in flower, as well as its pergolas of ancient wisteria. The largest specimen in Europe of Kashmir Cypress, superb lime and lemon trees, a marvellous collection of hibiscus, and a Gingko Biloba, are all found here.
Isola Madre leaves you with a memory of manicured lawns, expertly tended trees and flowers, and beautifully laid out interiors, of a quality to please the most exacting visitor.
The public boats call at the island, leaving from Stresa, Baveno, Verbania and Arona.
HOW TO GET THERE
By car: from the A26 exit at Stresa-Baveno.
By train: Stresa railway station.
Take the public service boat to Isola Madre from Stresa, Verbania, Baveno or Arona
FURTHER DETAILS
Booking:
For guided tours in the Palace.
Price
€ 11,00
Kids from 6 to 15: € 6,00
Guided tours: booking required
€ 45,00: groups
CONTACT
Name
Borromeo Turismo
Email
info@isoleborromee.it
Web site
www.borromeoturismo.it
Phone number
+39 0323 30556
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