Page 197 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

L OMBARD Y  195

VISITORS’ CHECKLIST 2 Lago Maggiore The Borromean islands, at the
centre of the lake near Stresa,
Practical Information Verbania. V @ g Stresa, Verbania, are small jewels of natural
n Piazza Cavour 17, Como (031 Baveno & the islands. n Piazza beauty augmented by artificial
26 97 12); Piazza XX Settembre 23, Marconi 16, Stresa (0323 301 50). grottoes, architectural follies
Lecco (0341 29 57 20). ∑ distrettolaghi.it and landscaped gardens. The
∑ lakecomo.it Lake Maggiore, the second- Isola Bella is home to the 17th-
Transport largest Italian lake after Lake century Palazzo Borromeo
V Como, Lecco. @ g all towns. Garda, is a long expanse of and its splendid gardens, while
water nestling right against the Isola Madre is largely given over
mountains and stretching into to a botanical garden. The only
Alpine Switzerland; it is warmer in island inhabited all year round
atmosphere and more romantic is Isola dei Pescatori, with a
than Lake Como. The gently population of 50. The private
sloping shores are dotted with Isola di San Giovanni is the
camellias, azaleas and smallest of the isles,
verbena vegetation – with a villa that
from which the ancient once belonged to
Tadoline’s copy (1834) of Canova’s Cupid lake derived its Roman the great conductor
and Psyche in Villa Carlotta name, Verbanus. Arturo Toscanini
A huge copper statue (1867–1957).
Exploring Lago di Como of Cardinal San Carlo The lake becomes
In the heart of Como lies the Borromeo, the chief quieter towards the
elegant Piazza Cavour. Nearby patron of the lake, stands Swiss border, but
rises the beautiful 14th-century in Arona, the town continues to be lined
Duomo, with its 15th- and 16th- where he was born in with attractive villas.
century reliefs and paintings, 1538. It is possible to The Villa Taranto,
and fine tombs. The 18th-century climb up and look out located on the
dome is by Turin’s famous over the lake through outskirts of Verbania,
Baroque architect, Juvarra. Next his eyes and ears. Arona houses a fine exotic
to the Duomo stand the 13th- also boasts a ruined botanical collection.
century Broletto (town hall), castle and a chapel, About 3 km (2 miles)
charmingly striped in white, Santa Maria, dedicated west of Cannobio,
pink and grey, and the tall Torre to the Borromeo family. a market town near
del Comune. At Tremezzo, Villa Further up the The statue of Carlo Switzerland, is the
Carlotta is an elegant 18th- western coast of the Borromeo in Arona dramatic gorge and
century summer-house known lake is Stresa, the chief tumbling waterfall of
for its gardens. In springtime, resort and main jumping-off Orrido di Sant’Anna, which can
all sorts of flowers burst into point for visits to the islands; be reached by boat.
colour. The villa houses a the town boasts many grand
collection of sculptures. hotels, handsome villas and P Palazzo Borromeo
Lecco, a small industrial town pleasant gardens. Behind Isola Bella. g from Stresa. Tel 0323
to the south of the lake’s eastern Stresa, a cable car ride away, 305 56. Open early Mar–Oct: 9am–
arm, was home to Alessandro rises Monte Mottarone, a 5:30pm daily. & ∑ isoleborromee.it
Manzoni (1785–1873). The snow-capped peak offering P Villa Taranto
writer’s childhood home, the spectacular panoramic views Via Vittorio Veneto 111, Verbania,
Villa Manzoni, is devoted to of the surrounding mountains, Pallanza. Tel 0323 40 45 55.
memorabilia of his life and including Monte Rosa. Open mid-Mar–Oct: daily. & 7
works. A monument in Piazza
Manzoni depicts scenes from his
most famous novel, I Promessi
Sposi (The Betrothed) – set in
17th-century Lecco and Milan.
P Villa Carlotta
Via Regina 2b, Tremezzo. Tel 0344
404 05. Open end Mar–mid-Oct:
9am– 7:30pm daily (mid-Mar–early
Apr & mid-Oct–end Oct: 10am–6pm
daily). &
P Villa Manzoni
Via Guanella 1, Lecco. Tel 0341 48 12
47. Open 9.30am–6pm Tue–Sun (Sat
& Sun: from 10am). Closed 1 Jan,
Easter, 1 May, 15 Aug, 25 Dec. & Isola Bella’s 17th-century Palazzo Borromeo and garden on Lago Maggiore

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