 ISOLA
MADRE
 The
most wide island of the Borromean archipelago is
Isola Madre, a botanical garden on water.
The favourable microclimate and man's care make visitor
seem to be in subtropical environment, rich in rare plants, exotic
flowers and animals, above all iridescent birds in liberty.
The garden is one of the most suggestive  for the luxuriant vegetation
and the variety of its plants. It can be considered between the most
important and ancient of Italy. Its realisation in fact goes back to before
the XVI century, when work began to transform the olive-groves already
present in a picturesque garden. Then, with following interventions it
became an English garden,  subsequently more times modified to the actual aspect.
On the island rises another beautiful palace   of the surname
Borromeo, going back to 1590. To visit is interesting in that
inside has been restored valuable furnishings, environments of
the epoch. There is also an exposition of small theatres showing
ancient marionettes. 
In front of Pallanza, almost in contact with the
point of Castagnola, there is the last island of the archipelago. We
are speaking about the small island of San Giovanni, still of private
ownership of the Family Borromeo. It was a place of vacation of
illustrious characters, one of whom was Master Arturo Toscanini.
© Edizioni Marwan
Fotografie: Mario Parietti
Redazione: Roberto Stangalini |
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