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Mount Mottarone between Lake Maggiore and Ortasee, near Stresa, view on islands and Verbania – By Mbdortmund –

Top 10 Remarquable Facts About Borromean Islands

The Borromean islands are a group of two islets and three islands. They are located on the Italian side of Lake Maggiore on the western arm. That is south of Stresa and north of Verbania.

The three islands are; Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola dei Pescatori. The islets are Isolino di San Giovanni and the tiny rock of Malghera.

The size of the islands and islets totals 20 hectares or 50 acres. The Borromean islands are a major tourist attraction site in the Piedmont region and Italy at large. Mostly because of their picturesque setting ad scenery among other things.

This group of islands is magical, to say the least. Their architecture and landscape combine to create amazing emotions and experiences for those who visit.

Below are some remarkable facts about the Borromean islands.

1. They Are Named After the Borromeo Family

The Borromeo family, famously known as the aristocratic House of Borromeo were merchants in San Miniato. The most famous members of the family were the cardinals and Archbishops of Milan.

They include; Carlo (1538鈥�1584), who was canonized in 1610, and Federico (1564鈥�1631), who founded the Ambrosian Library.

Since the sixteenth century, the family has possessed the Borromean Islands. Grand palaces on two of the islands still belong to the family. The majority of the Borromean Islands remain under the family’s ownership to this date.

2. Isola Madre Was the Designated Summer Residence of the Family

View of the Isola Madre in the Lago Maggiore. – By User: Civvi –

The name Isola Madre translates directly to Island Mother. It was named so because it was the largest island in the group.

The Borromeo family constructed a Palazzo (palace) there as early as the 16th century. The family designated Isola Madre as their summer residence.

They grew olives, vines, and citrus fruits on the island. In 1603 it was described as: 鈥淎 delightful place for princes鈥�exceedingly healthy for the goodness of the air which is extremely temperate鈥�.鈥�

The gardens and palace have been maintained in an English style since 1823. Despite being uninhabited the palace has been furnished with 16th- to 19th-century Italian masterpieces and paintings.

3. Isola Bella Is Considered One of the Most Beautiful Gardens in Europe

Aerial view, from a drone, of the Isola Bella, in the Borromean Islands of Lake Maggiore – By CucombreLibre –

From an aerial point of view, Isola Bella looks like a gigantic vessel emerging from the lake. The jetty and the tip of the island, pointing towards the Isola dei Pescatori, are the bow. The garden and 10 sloping terraces are the sterns.

On the island is a beautiful Baroque Garden considered to be the most beautiful in Europe. Equally if not more enthralling is the Palazzo (palace) where different captivating forms of art are on display.

The palace is filled with paintings by famous artists, extremely valuable furniture, marbles, neoclassical stuccoes, ancient sculptures, armor, and Flemish tapestries of gold and silk.

4. The Isolino di San Giovanni Is the Smallest Inhabited Island in The Group

The Isolino di San Giovanni – By Clemensfranz –

A few meters away from Pallanza, it is the smallest of the inhabited Borromean islands. The island is private and therefore cannot be visited by the public.

However, it can be seen when taking a boat from Pallanza to Villa Taranto. Arturo Toscanini lived there for a considerable amount of time.

It was previously called Isola di Sant鈥橝ngelo. This referred to a chapel dedicated to Saint Michael found within its castle

5. The Isola Dei Pescatori Island Does Not Belong To The Borromeo Family

Isola dei Pescatori – By Unknown Author –

In the entire group of Borromean islands, the Isola dei Pescatori Island is the only one that does not belong to the family. As of a few years ago, it was a fishing village. However, it has since been turned into a tourist village.

It is the only island of the group that is permanently inhabited. There鈥檚 a little village with typical local fishermen’s houses.

As of 2018, the population of this island was 25. Having declined consistently over the years from 208 in 1971. The name 鈥業sola dei Pescatori鈥� translates to Fishermen鈥檚 Island.

6. The Malghera Islet Is the Smallest in The Group

The Malghera Islet is sometimes referred to as the Malghera Rock. It is a tint islet located between Isola Bella and Isola Pescatori in the Borromean Gulf.

It is sometimes also referred to as Isolino Degli Innamorato. This translates directly to Lover鈥檚 Islet. It has a romantic little beach, a haunt of seagulls, and can be reached by private or hired boats.

7. Isola Bella and Isola Madre Are Known as 鈥楾he Sisters鈥�

The two islands are the most frequented by tourists in the group. The two are given this name due to the presence of similar structures such as gardens, and palazzos, among other landscaping features.

The presence of detailed art that has been cared for as well as plant architecture are some of the attractions the islands offer. There are over 2000 plant species in both islands combined.

8. The Three Islands Are Accessible by Passenger Ships

The three large islands in the Borromean groups can be accessed using public boats. These islands are all between 3 and 8 hectares in size. The two Borromean highlands are too small, less than 0.5 hectares.

The majority of ferries to the islands leave from Stresa, a popular spa town, in its center. There are, however, fewer boats that go directly from Verbania to the island or from other locations near Lake Maggiore.

9. The Borromean Islands Have a Variety of Exotic Plants and Animals

There are numerous unidentified species of plants, including the Feijoa Sellowiana, Taxodium Distichum, and the Camellia sinensis. Other such species include Cinnamomum camphora and Cupressus Cashmeriana ‘glauca’.

Other than plants, there are also various animal species on the islands. These include White and colored peacocks, gold, silver pheasants, ducks, and moorhens.

10. The Islands Have Been a Holiday Resort Since The 18th Century

The Visconti and Borromeo families have used the Borromean Islands as a vacation destination since the 18th century. It was here that they spent their holidays and, over time, that they constructed their opulent homes.

The noble Borromeo family, who were originally from Florence, was primarily responsible for altering the islands’ appearance. This is through the construction of homes and gardens after acquiring ownership of them in the XIV century.