"This place has a name whose very sound is cherished by all the souls who love beautiful things, worldwide ... it is one of those magical spots which, even if only seen for one hour, can never be forgotten throughout one's life. Whereas Stresa is the green paradise of love, Baveno is the enchanted and most silent oasis of nostalgia " (Nino Bazzetta De Vemenia, "A Guide to Lake Maggiore", Milan 1931).
A lot of emphasis was used in describing this quiet town with Roman origins situated near the lake just after Stresa and known thanks to its low-in-mineral-content waters and its pink granite quarries, but above all as a popular tourist and holiday resort.
Ever since mid 19th century, a great number of international personalities spent time in this exclusive place, more often than not staying in the sumptuous villas that can be seen on the territory.
Villa Henfrey-Branca. This villa, whose construction between 1870 and 1872 was designed and managed by English engineer Charles Henfrey, is one of the most original buildings to be seen in the Lake Maggiore area. Its style, although generically following the Anglo Saxon castle typology, cannot be classified according to any specific classic architectonic style. Red brickworks, marble terraces, imposing spires, towers, frames, balustrades and the magnificent English-style garden are a true wonder. The villa is unique thanks to its fabulous lines, and represents an undeniable attraction for all those who can easily admire it while walking over the fine lakeside promenade. In the park is also a small Protestant church and a small castle, built in 1882-1883 according to the Vogogna castle model, possibly with the only purpose of hiding the new hotel (Lido Palace) situated next to the garden. Among the eminent personalities who were guests here over the years, mention should be made of English Queen Victoria and her daughter Beatrice in 1879. The descendants of European reigning houses still come to visit the Branca family, who bought the villa after Engineer Henfrey's death.
Villa Barberis. This villa, built in the early 20th century, stands out because of the whiteness of its shades and because of the exoticism of its original design. It was the result of the strong willpower of Alberto Barberis, a cosmopolite traveller born in Vercelli, who spent years in the East, and wanted to build this residence, evocative of these far countries he loved so much. This explains the careful architectonic design including a minaret, and the truthful copy of the tropical vegetation surrounding the villa. The building has also interesting ornamental elements, such as the high relief representation of the St. Gaudenzio Dome in Novara and of the St. Andrea bell tower in Vercelli, which can be admired on the curvilinear tympanum, as well as still life and landscape paintings which Barberis himself, amateur painter, performed on the walls of the attic floor which has a six-arch loggia.
Villa Fedora. This plain but elegant residence was built in the first half of the 19th century, and now houses the Chamber of Commerce of the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola area. It is separated from the lake by its large and elegant park, and was named after the famous opera of the composer Umberto Giordano, who spent twenty years here (1904-1924).
Villa Durazzo (Lido Palace Hotel). This imposing luxury building, dating back to the second half of the 19th century, was built by the Genoa marquis Durazzo in a strategic point of the coast, right opposite the Borromeo Gulf. It was later converted by the mayor Gerolamo Rossi into a sumptuous "Belle Epoque" hotel, which boasted illustrious guests; amongst them are Sir Winston Churchill, who stayed during his honeymoon trip in 1908 and returned several times over the following years.
Villa Brandolini d'Adda. This villa, which was built in the 16th century over a former convent, boasts numerous valuable architectonic and ornamental elements, and a garden which is unique in the world, as it is divided into four parts, each according to a different style: Italian, English, French and Japanese.
The following villas are also noteworthy: Villa Carosi, designed by the well known Art Nouveau architect Giuseppe Sommaruga, Villa Claudia, where the famous comedy writer Luigi Illica spent some time, and Villa Provana di Collegno-Galtrucco, where key personalities of Piedmontese history of the second half of the 19th century often met.
