Lake Maggiore is one of the largest and most beautiful lakes in Europe, stretching over 40 miles across the border between Italy and Switzerland, with the Italian side featuring many notable towns like Stresa. At the heart of this lake lies Isola Bella, a small island that captures the imagination with its striking blend of history, art and natural beauty.
Stressa, Italy
From Zermatt, Switzerland we traveled by train then bus to a wonderful stop in the Switzerland mountains for coffee and pastries.
Then to Stressa, Italy for a delicious lunch, accompanied by wine of course.
After lunch we took a water taxi on Lake Maggiore to Isola Bella to tour the palace and grounds.
Lake Maggiore, Isola Bella
Isola Bella, meaning “Beautiful Island,” was once a barren rocky outcrop until the 17th century when Carlo III Borromeo began transforming it into a masterpiece.
The island’s transformation took nearly 400 years, embodying the vision and grandeur of the influential Borromeo family.
They constructed the Palazzo Borromeo, a magnificent Baroque palace dedicated to Carlo’s wife, Isabella d’Adda, from whom the island takes its name. The palace is an architectural marvel with elegant halls adorned with priceless artworks, including frescoes by renowned painters like Luca Giordano and Correggio, and richly decorated interiors showcasing intricate furnishings preserved through the centuries.
The palace also houses the ‘Teatro delle Marionette’ which dates back to the 18th century when puppet shows were a popular form of entertainment among European aristocracy. Each marionette is a masterpiece in miniature, hand carved from wood and meticulously painted with intricate costumes that mirror the fashion of that era.
Surrounding the palace are the island’s most famous feature—the Italianate terraced gardens. These gardens are a spectacular sight with ten cascading terraces designed to resemble a giant ship rising from the lake’s waters, integrating perfectly with the palace and the island’s shape. Walking through the gardens, there was a harmonious combination of flowering plants, sculpted statues, fountains and an amphitheater steeped in Baroque elegance. The gardens took over 40 years to complete and remain a testament to exquisite landscape artistry.
Isola Bella was easily accessible by ferry from Stresa, making it a must-visit destination if visiting Lake Maggiore. The island was a unique experience.
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