Itineraries and places
ISOLA BELLA
On 1670 the count Carlo III Borromeo started the construction of the palace in Baroque style and the Italian garden that made the island famous. Inestimable works of art: an unforgettable collection of tapestries, furniture and paintings are closed in Borromeo’s palace. The gardens, enriched of a lot of plants and rare flowers, is composed of adorned terraces superimposed, and it is a classic incomparable example of “italian garden” of that period.
You have absolutely to visit the little inhabited village, the little restaurants and the characteristic open-air market.
Isola Bella - visit timetables
24 March - 21 October: 9 am - 5.30 pm (last admission)
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ISOLA PESCATORI
The name (Fishermen Island) comes from the activity most practised by his inhabitants. Among the Borromep Islands Iola Pescatori is the one that has preserved better its original aspect.
Here in fact there is the intact ancient village of fishermen, even if today only few families live there and practise this profession.
The island’s charm comes from the narrow streets and the very simple houses. Restaurants are excellent with characteristic dishes, all fish base. There are a lot of very characteristic open-air markets.
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ISOLA MADRE
Isola Madre is today like a beautiful open-air garden, with the famous botanical garden on five levels and rich in rare plants, exotic flowers and animals, above all iridescent birds in liberty. Another important monument to visit is a beautiful palace of Borromeo that guests important exhibitions.
Isola Madre is the widest island of the Borromean archipelago, famous for its flowers and plants (Camelias, Rhododendrons and Azaleas). Another interesting part to visit is the ancient palace realized before the XVI century, where you can find collections of liveries, dolls, porcelains and environments of the epoch. Very interesting is the exposition of small theatres showing ancient marionettes of 700’s and 800’s.
Isola Madre - Visit timetables
24 March - 21 October: 9 am - 5.30 pm (last admission)
For more information click here
SANCTUARY OF SANTA CATERINA
Eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso is one of the most charming place on the Maggiore Lake. We can arrive there from the lake leaving the boat in the little harbour that in the first centuries was the unique way to reach the monastery. Reaching the monastery from the lake is the most magical way to arrive there. Maybe the special magical beauty of this location encouraged the enchanted halo linked to his origin and history.
A legend tells that in 1170 a rich merchant, Alberto dei Besozzi, survived a storm with S. Caterina’s help while he was sailing with his boat on the lake, in order to thanks for this miracle he decided to go to live alone in the place where now is the monastery.
A few years later, S Caterina defeats the plague that was ravaging the country and than again when some stones fell on ‘Alberto’s grave, she stopped them a few cm from the soil.
Today the monastery is owned by Provincia di Varese that financed the restoration of different buildings added during the centuries: S. Maria Nuova Chapel, San Nicola Chapel and many monastery’s parts.
The restoration has given value to very beautiful painting’s fragments and to all architectonic structure, but the wonderful building’s placing and the extraordinary view make really charming this monastery, managed now by some Dominicans friars: they sell their products in the shop inside. Visit admission free.
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