A visit to the botanical gardens on the Brissago Islands is a must for any trip to the area. The gardens are home to a large number of sub-tropical flowers and plants, all living in the open and arranged according to geographical origin.
The main habitats represented are the Mediterranean; subtropical Asia, from China to Korea, Japan; southern Africa; north, central and south America; Australia and some of the islands of Oceania. Roman remains have been found on Isola Piccola: the ruined church there dates back to around 1250, and Romanic style frescoes are still visible on its walls.
In 1885 baroness Antonietta Saint Léger made the island her home, and a haven for painters, sculptors, musicians, and writers. Isola Grande became an exotic garden. Max Emden built the house, dock and “Roman baths” and laid out the flower beds. In 1949 the Brissago Islands were acquired by the authorities of the Canton of Ticino, the towns of Ascona, Brissago and Ronco sopra Ascona, the Swiss League for the Protection of Nature, and the Society for Conservation of Natural and Artistic Beauty, and were designated the Botanical Park of Ticino Canton. Regular public boat services run to the islands. There is even a restaurant that opens during the day.