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The scene of important historical events,
from feudal times to the Renaissance and up to the battle
against the Austrians, the territory of the two lakes was
for fourcenturies under the dominion of two of Italy's greatest
families, first the Visconti and later the Borromeo, who
gathered around them men of letters, painters, sculptors
and architects and left a rich cultural and artistic patrimony
in their island Palazzi, the colossal statue of San Carlo
at Arona, and the Massino Visconti Castle, to mention only
a few examples. The list of artists and famous personalities
who have frequented the area is long and impressive: from
Stendahl to Hemingway, Leonardo Da Vinci to Fogazzaro, and
Queen Victoria to the King of Saudi Arabia. Today the area
has become the coveted destination of tourists from all
walks of life: artists in search of new inspiration, family
weekend trips, pilgrims visiting the many sanctuaries, and
businessmen. No less in evidence are athletes and sportsmen
who come to take advantage of the many opportunities offered
by the limpid waters, where all sorts of aquatic sports
are regularly practiced, or by the nearby mountains which
attract fans of hiking, skiing and other high altitude activities
and by Val Grande, the largest wilderness area in Europe.
And finally, for golfers the area offers the opportunity
of playing eight different courses all within an hour's
drive from one another. With its particularly mild climate,
the area surrounding Lake Maggiorehas been nicknamed the
"Garden of Europe" for thewealth, variety and
beauty of its flowers and vegetation, many being exotic
imports which have become completely familiar elements in
the local landscape. Other big tourist attractions are the
international events hosted by the territory: the Lake Maggiore
Jazz Festival, Stresa's "Musical Weeks", Pallanza's
Flower Parade, and the Remiero Palio and the Palio Nautico
dei Rioni races, to name just a few.
The count Carlo III Borromeo started then the construction
of the island of a palace to dedicate to his wife Isabella
D'Adda. The architectural taste of the epoch by now extended
to the Baroque style, veined purely of mannerism. This way
was born that work of art that today is called Isola Bella,
to name that, even though it seems to phonetic quarrel with
Isabella, is nevertheless the place-name more appropriate
for the island. Only a visit to this delightful place can
make one understand how art was in the baroque gardens.
Isola dei Pescatori (Fishermen Island) is found a little
to the north of Isola Bella in front of Stresa. It is occupied
almost entirely by an antique, rustic, village, from the
tortuous and narrow lanes, that come to nothing in the beautiful
walk of the northern point of the island. Of the archipelago
it is the most common island, but not for this avoid of
attraction. Above all the charm is really in its rested
grace of a typically Lombardian village, being lived in
by hard-working frugal people, still in part devoted to
fishing.
The most wide island of the Borromean archipelago is Isola
Madre, a botanical garden on water. The favourable microclimate
and man's care make visitor seem to be in subtropical environment,
rich in rare plants, exotic flowers and animals, above all
iridescent birds in liberty. The garden is one of the most
suggestive for the luxuriant vegetation and the variety
of its plants. It can be considered between the most important
and ancient of Italy. Its realisation in fact goes back
to before the XVI century, when work began to transform
the olive-groves already present in a picturesque garden.
Then, with following interventions it became an English
garden, subsequently more times modified to the actual aspect.
On the island rises another beautiful palace of the surname
Borromeo, going back to 1590. To visit is interesting in
that inside has been restored valuable furnishings, environments
of the epoch. There is also an exposition of small theatres
showing ancient marionettes.
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