Isola Bella

TomassoRizzi's picture

Location

Lago Maggiore
Italy
45° 53' 43.0008" N, 8° 31' 37.9992" E
IT
General info: 

Looking across from Stresa to Isola Bella today it is hard to believe it was once a rocky island, home to a small community of fishermen. However until 1630 Isola Inferiore (as it was previously known) was a world away from the splendour that the Borromeo Family created.

In 1630 Carlo III Borromeo took the first steps to changing the island. He hired an architect to design a castle-type building where the palace currently stands and a more elegant casino at the highest point of the island. Carlo also decided to name the island after his wife, Isabella D’Adda, and it became known as Isola Isabella (later to be shortened to Isola Bella).

In spite of Carlo’s plans it was to be his sons, Vitaliano VI Borromeo and cardinal Giberto III Borromeo who really transformed Isola Bella. Abandoning the original architect’s plans and dropping the idea of a casino they planned the palace and gardens.

And so work began on the palace and the terraced gardens and although the palace was basically finished in 1670 and the gardens were inaugurated in 1671.

Getting there: 

There is a regular ferry service to Isola Bella from Stresa, Laveno, Pallanza and Intra. The ferry from Stresa to Isola Bella leaves frequently, roughly every half hour in summer (www.navigazionelaghi.it).

The ride is short: Isola Bella is just 5 min. from Stresa in one direction, and 5 min. from Isola Superiore in the other.

Costs: 

One-way ferry tickets from Stresa to Isola Bella cost €3.50 (from Isola Superiore it's €2; from Isola Madre it's €3.80).

Combined admission to the Borromeo Islands: You can get admission to just one island (Isola Bella is €13, Isola Madre is €11), both islands together (€18), or to both islands plus the Rocca Borromeo in Angera (€21.50 for all three; €8.50 for the castle by itself)

Interesting places nearby

The ski area Oberjoch-Bad Hindelang is known for it’s snow reliability. The pistes are located on the Iseler on an altitude of 1200 m. The cross-country ski runs are equally well groomed to make your winter vacation unforgettable.

Berchtesgaden is a key Bavarian resort, active year-round, with six ski centres nearby. It has formerly put in bids to stage the Winter Olympics. A very pretty village with excellent accommodation and dining options.

A ski holiday in Obersaxen – Val Lumnezia offers an impressive mountain view. Obersaxen with its 29 churches and nearly as many chapels lies on a plateau at an altitude of 1200 metres.

Alpine skiers and snowboarders have the choice among 28 lifts, from baby-lift to small-cabin mountain railway. On 40 kilometres of ski-runs, all kinds of difficulty turn winter sports into an experience for everyone.

Alpine skiers and snowboarders have the choice among 28 lifts, from baby-lift to small-cabin mountain railway. On 40 kilometres of ski-runs, all kinds of difficulty turn winter sports into an experience for everyone.

The ski area Nebelhorn is more diverse than any other ski area in the Allgäu. It is usually blessed with lots of natural snow but in case it is not modern snow making equipment is available.