"Fantastic and peculiar": Dickens described like that Isola Bella. Let us imagine the spectacular nature of an island which takes the fabulous aspect of a vessel gently laying on the calm stretch of the lake, shining in the richness and fantasy of a luxurious building and stenographic gardens: Isola Bella, undoubtedly the best known amongst Borromeo Islands and also the most longed for by the "greediness" of tourists, is all that.

Its name (previously it was called Inferiore) is due to Isabella, the wife of Carlo III Borromeo. It was Carlo III Borromeo that in the first half of the 17th century started the work for the alteration of this parched island; work concluded in 1671 by Vitaliano VI.
The big Baroque building is an authentic museum of unique, priceless delights: original fittings, 16th-19th-centuries paintings and frescoes, silk and gold Flemish tapestry, unrepeatable sculptures, historical arms.

The series of halls included in the building is very attractive, from the Dance Hall to the Throne Room, from the Arms Hall to the Alcove Hall, from the Napoleonic Hall (named after the illustrious guest who was hosted here several times) to the Music Lounge (which was the seat for the 1935 Stresa Conference among England, France and Italy).
In addition to all that, there are also six underground rooms, fitted in such a way as to imitate natural grottoes, with tuff walling, decorated with unbelievable stuccoes and mosaics depicting the charm of the underwater world. These rooms are animated with false stalactites, and furthermore enriched with some peculiar and valuable items, like the archaeological finds of the Golasecca culture.

The Italian-style gardens are organized on ten terracing, arranged in such a way as to form a big truncated pyramid. Nymphaeum, exedra, allegoric and mythological statues, obelisks and fountains enrich the gardens which is rich in valuable tree essences like cedars, orange and lemon trees, magnolias, laurels, camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons, conifers and so on.
Everything seems permeated by that stenographic research culminating in the large hemicycle which concludes the superimposition of terraces. The hemicycle is called "Theatre" for its efficacious spectacular effect. The scene is dominated by the statue of the Unicorn (heraldic emblem of the Borromeo family) which has on its sides the statues of Nature and Art together with several stone figures of the ancient mythology.
The charm of the site is furthermore enhanced by white peacocks, which are left free on the velvety lawns.
At the back of the building and gardens, there is part of the pre-existing village, where some restaurants and small typical shops can be found.

Palace and gardens can be visited from March to October, by paying an entrance ticket.

Info:
Tel: (+39) 0323 30556 
Fax: (+39) 0323 30046
E-Mail info@borromeoturismo.it
Web http://www.borromeoturismo.it