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 The work
of transforming Isola Madre into a private residence was begun by Count Lancellotto Borromeo who obtained the property in
perpetual lease from the Curia of Novara in 1501. Lancellotto,  who died in 1513, did not live to see his project fully
realized.
It was eventually carried out by his successors. A decisive impetus to the undertaking was given by Renato Borromeo who,
in 1585, commissioned the architect Pellegrino Tibaldi, a favorite of San Carlo, to complete the palazzo which he did in the
rather austere style typical of Mannnerism. The imposing villa was built on the southern side of the island on its highest point
and dominates the landscape. Its L-shaped plan was positioned so that the longest facade and the most important rooms face
south so as to enjoy full exposure to the sun.  The palazzo has two entrances served by two corresponding jetties, one on the
north and one on the south side of the island. The southern dock leads directly to the area known as the
"Piazzale della Cappella" (Chapel's Square) and from here stairs climbs
up to the main entrance. The northern dock is the most important however and from the imposing wrought iron gate a flight
of steps crosses the island and leads to the square overlooked by the palazzo. A few steps then climb to the
elevated ground floor characterized,  as is the upper floor, by an open gallery with the central arch flanked by square openings.
The ground floor interiors are decorated with umbrella, cloister and barrel vaults and a barrel-vaulted staircase leads to the
first floor where the rooms feature lacunar or open beam ceilings. Of special interest is a room located on the southeast side
of the building which is decorated with tromp-d'oeil frescoes depicting a pergola covered in flowers and trailing plants.
All the rooms have been furnished to show the daily life of a bygone  era and an important collection of 17th-century paintings
of the Lombard School are also on display. Unique to the palazzo is its valuable collection of puppets and marionettes,
scenery and drawings once used in theatrical productions put on to entertain the family and their guests. On the grounds
outside the villa is the Sepulchral Chapel, built in 1858 on the site where the church of San Vittore once stood,
at the request of Count Vitaliano Borromeo.
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