History
Isola Bella
It took almost four hundred years and the teamwork of hundreds of architects, engineers, plasterers, painters and cabinetmakers, who have given rise to the extraordinary transformation of Isola bella from a rock of the lake into a place of delights.
Until 1630 Isola Bella was a rock inhabited by fishermen, with two small churches and a few vegetable gardens. The Borromeos, who had already been owners of Isola Madre since 1501, from the first two decades of the 17th century with Giulio Caesar III and Carlo III focused their interest on the island, launching the grandiose project that was to lead to the creation of the palazzo and the garden.
This aim was to be carried forward, extended and defined by Vitaliano VI, who is to all intents and purposes considered the founder of Isola Bella. The work that resulted in the current layout continued without interruption throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, arriving at 1948, when, with Vitaliano IX Borromeo, the Salone Nuovo, the northern façade and the great pier were built.
An exhibition dedicated to its founder Vitaliano VI will be hosted in 2021.
What to see
Palazzo Borromeo
The Baroque at its most astonishing
A fascinating itinerary between art and history accompanies you through its over 20 rooms.
Heart of Palazzo Borromeo, the Galleria Berthier is a mosaic of over 130 paintings including masterpieces and, following a practise that is recurrent in other noble collections of the period, a number of copies of the great masters of the past of the calibre of Raphael, Correggio, Titian and Guido Reni.
Unique settings are the Sala del Trono [Throne Room], the Sala delle Regine [Queens’ Room], the Salone degli Arazzi [Tapestry Hall] and the Grotte [Caves], born to amaze guests by transporting them into a magical marine world.
c. 1521/22, oil on panel
What to see
The Italian-style baroque garden
Ten terraces bursting with a different colour at every flowering time
The Teatro Massimo is the most important monument in the garden of Isola Bella. Statues, obelisks and fountains are perfectly integrated together with the vegetation of the ten scenic terraces, at the top of which rises the statue of the Unicorn, the heraldic symbol of the Borromeo family.
All around the Theatre is a glorious display of rare flowers and plants: the centuries-old camphor tree, Gunnera manicata, known as the giant rhubarb – the leaves of which can reach two metres in diameter -, the perfumed sweet Osmanthus, the extremely rare Halesia diptera with its flowers that seem like snowflakes, the star anise and the Mexican pine.
During its blossoming period the Parterre of Azaleas is enchanting, and the Garden of Love is a joy for the eyes, composed of boxwood hedges creating green embroidery that is visible from the height of the terraces. Camellias, espaliers of roses in May, oleanders in June and citrus trees and panicled hydrangeas at the height of summer all enliven the Italian-style garden of Isola Bella, where white peacocks roam freely.
Since 2002 the gardens of Isola Bella, together with those of Isola Madre, have belonged to the prestigious circuit of the British Royal Horticultural Society.
What to see
Vitaliano VI. The invention of Isola Bella
EXHIBITION
Opening – 1 November, 2021
Curated by Alessandro Morandotti and Mauro Natale
An exhibition dedicated to its founder
The exhibition “Vitaliano VI. The invention of Isola Bella” looks back over his life, and above all his work – the vessel that emerges from the waters of Lago Maggiore – still a source of admiration and amazement today to visitors from all over the world.
Staged in the grand hall completed by his descendant of the same name Vitaliano IX in 1956, in its first section the exhibition looks back over the main phases in the life of Vitaliano VI, the real author of the renewed good fortune of the family in the second half of the 17th century, through painted portraits, sculptures, medals and documents – including also the project of the Palace and the Gardens of Isola Bella – some never exhibited to the public previously.
Useful info
Season 2021
The opening of the Terre Borromeo museum sites will be defined on the basis of the updates relating to the COVID emergency.
We therefore recommend that you consult the homepage or contact the call centre + 39 0323.933478 to receive up-to-date information.
Tickets
| Adults Single | Youngs Single | Adults Group | Youngs Group | Baby | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isola Bella (Palace and gardens) | € 18 | € 11 | € 16 | € 9 | - |
| Isola Bella + Isola Madre | € 25 | € 13 | € 22 | € 11 | - |
| Isola Bella + Rocca di Angera | € 22 | € 13 | € 20 | € 12 | - |
| Isola Bella + Parco Pallavicino | € 22 | € 13 | € 20 | € 12 | - |
| Download the pdf table with all prices | |||||
How to get there
By car
From the Autostrada dei Laghi motorway in the direction of Gravellona Toce, Carpugnino exit, following the signs for Stresa.
It is possible to park in Piazza Marconi in Stresa and from here you can take one of the boats to reach the Isole Borromee.
Alternatively, you can leave your car in the square in Carciano opposite the dock.
By train
Ferrovie dello Stato railway, Milan-Sempione line, Stresa stop. The station is around 850 m from Piazza Marconi.
With Ferrovie Nord railway, Milan-Laveno line, Laveno stop.
By bus
VB Arona Milan line: departure from Milan Lampugnano, stop B5.
Or Verbania–Stresa–Malpensa, which requires advance booking.
For info: www.safduemila.com.
By plane
Distance from the principal airports: Turin Caselle 140 km – Milan Malpensa 50 km – Milan Linate 110 km – Bergamo Orio Al Serio 130 km.
By ferry
The boats depart from the main locations on the lake.
For further information: Navigazione Lago Maggiore – scheduled passenger service. Also available is a non-scheduled passenger service by motorboat.
Vademecum Covid
• You are advised to arrive at the locations with a ticket already purchased online via the platform booking.isoleborromee
• In compliance with the safety rules, access to the sites may be limited.
• It is not possible to enter the sites if you have a high temperature (over 37.5°) or other symptoms of influenza and where hazardous conditions exist, such as coming from risk areas or in close contact with persons testing positively for the virus in the last 14 days or coming from abroad in the last 14 days.
• Access is only permitted if you are wearing a mask.
• You are advised to wash your hands frequently; hand sanitising gel dispensers are located at various points inside the sites.
• Always keep a distance of more than one meter from the other visitors and from the sites personnel.
• Luggage storage is not available.
• Inside the Parco Pallavicino, touching the cages, the enclosures and/or the facilities present inside the Park is prohibited. You are also advised not to touch the animals.
We thank you for respecting all the indications on the signs and given by the supervisory personnel.
Tour operator & agencies
All useful information for operators: location rental, exclusive experiences, download useful materials and documents.
Events & Weddings
Its multi-faceted spirit and aristocrat allure make this fortress the perfect setting for a special day.
Educational offer
The educational proposal for kindergartens, primary and secondary schools extended to all locations in the Terre Borromeo.
Terre Borromeo
A story of love, protection and respect that has lasted for six centuries.
Who we areHelpful Tips
Hours
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Isola Bella
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Isola Madre
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ROCCA DI ANGERA
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PARCO PALLAVICINO
- Buy tickets, guided tours and much more safely and quickly directly online.
How to get
- Terre Borromeo is easily accessible! They are only an hour and a half from Milan and easily reachable from the main airports. Find out how to reach them by car, train and how to book the ferry that will take you to the islands.
What to see
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Isola Bella
- Palazzo Borromeo +
- The Italian-style garden +
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Isola Madre
- Palazzo Borromeo +
- The English-style garden +
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Rocca di Angera
- The Historic Rooms +
- The Museum of Dolls and Toys +
- Ala Scaligera +
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Parco Pallavicino
- The fauna +
- The flora +
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Parco del Mottarone
- Mottarone Adventure Park +
- Bar Stazione +
- Rifugio Genziana +
