A visit to the Palazzo Borromeo on Lake Maggiore in Piedmont is a truly unique experience. The palace takes up the entirety of the island, Isola Bella, on which it is located and boasts stunning sights inside and out.
Previously, the island was a barren rock and home to a small fishing village. Construction of the palace was begun in 1632 by Carlo III Borromeo, who named the island after his wife, Isabella, and continued by his sons. The extensive gardens were constructed from earth brought over on boats to cover the rocky terrain and completed by Carlo IV, his nephew.
Previously, the island was a barren rock and home to a small fishing village. Construction of the palace was begun in 1632 by Carlo III Borromeo, who named the island after his wife, Isabella, and continued by his sons. The extensive gardens were constructed from earth brought over on boats to cover the rocky terrain and completed by Carlo IV, his nephew.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the palace saw guests such as Napoleon and Joséphine and Caroline of Brunswick, Princess of Wales, who was so enamoured with the place that she tried to buy it.
Today, you can stay at a holiday villa in nearby Stresa
from which there are daily ferries to the island, allowing easily for day trips to the palace.
The extensive gardens, particularly lovely at this time of the year, are a verdant green set against blue skies, dramatically craggy mountains and sparkling water. One enters by Diana's Atrium, dominated by a statue of the goddess inside a niche and surrounded by a curved staircase either side, leading to the rest of the gardens.
Next comes a terrace featuring a giant Camphor tree planted in 1820 and six symmetrical flowerbeds containing exotic plants. South of this is the “teatro massimo”, or nymphaeum, a feature which houses multiple statues and is topped by a giant unicorn from the Borromeo crest.
Today, you can stay at a holiday villa in nearby Stresa
from which there are daily ferries to the island, allowing easily for day trips to the palace.
The extensive gardens, particularly lovely at this time of the year, are a verdant green set against blue skies, dramatically craggy mountains and sparkling water. One enters by Diana's Atrium, dominated by a statue of the goddess inside a niche and surrounded by a curved staircase either side, leading to the rest of the gardens.
Next comes a terrace featuring a giant Camphor tree planted in 1820 and six symmetrical flowerbeds containing exotic plants. South of this is the “teatro massimo”, or nymphaeum, a feature which houses multiple statues and is topped by a giant unicorn from the Borromeo crest.
There is also “falling” or stepped garden in a pyramidal form in the main terrace and a Private Garden, among others to be viewed.
However, the palace itself is not to be missed. The largely Baroque building features the work of architects Francesco Castelli and Francesco Maria Richini as well as the great architect of classicising 17th century Rome, Carlo Fontana. The interiors are equally beautifully realised and house great works of art. The Tapestry Gallery, for example, is home to a collection of well-conserved 16th century Flemish tapestries. In 2008, the Painting Gallery was reopened to the public. This space houses not only family portraits but also works by the likes of Raphael, Correggio, Titian and Guido Reni.
This perfect day trip is just one of the amazing things to do in the Stresa area this summer, like the Stresa Music Festival which holds concerts in the palace's Tapestry Room.
However, the palace itself is not to be missed. The largely Baroque building features the work of architects Francesco Castelli and Francesco Maria Richini as well as the great architect of classicising 17th century Rome, Carlo Fontana. The interiors are equally beautifully realised and house great works of art. The Tapestry Gallery, for example, is home to a collection of well-conserved 16th century Flemish tapestries. In 2008, the Painting Gallery was reopened to the public. This space houses not only family portraits but also works by the likes of Raphael, Correggio, Titian and Guido Reni.
This perfect day trip is just one of the amazing things to do in the Stresa area this summer, like the Stresa Music Festival which holds concerts in the palace's Tapestry Room.
Photo Credits:
Pictures 1 and 3: Photos of Isola Bella
Pictures 1 and 3: Photos of Isola Bella
