 ISOLA BELLA
It was
in 1632, the small island in the middle of the southern gulf of
Verbano in front of  Stresa, said by San Vittore, it was naked rock,
residual of stone modelled by the glaciers. The count Carlo III
Borromeo started then the construction of the island of a palace
 
to dedicate to his wife Isabella D'Adda. The architectural taste of
the epoch by now extended to the Baroque style, veined purely of
mannerism. This way was born that work of art that today is called
Isola Bella, to name that, even though it seems to pun on Isabella, is nevertheless the place-name more appropriate
for the island.  Only a visit to this delightful place can make one
understand how art was in the baroque gardens.
Almost all the island is occupied with grand palace, to the planning of which
contributed the best architects of the era. Inside the sumptuous rooms, there
are various rich operas of art, furniture, an unforgettable collection of tapestries
with Flemish tapestries. In the room underground, the taste of the time is reflected
in the artificial caves with walls dressed with tuffs,  shells, mirrors of black marble,
figures of nymphs. The baroque search  to conceive the garden like a scene, at the
centre of which is a man; all consists in the very famous park of the island.
It is a triumph to the Italian garden, that redesigns the environment. In fact the
park is composed of ten terraces superimposed to cut-off pyramids. Between
statues, fountains, camellias, magnolias, cypresses, citrus fruits, rare plants,
flowers in abundance from the thousand bright colours.  At the top, the spectacular
theatre surmounted by the unicorn, the coat of the arms of Borromeo lineage.
© Edizioni Marwan
Fotografie: Mario Parietti
Redazione: Roberto Stangalini |
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