Isola Bella, Lake Maggiore, Piedmont, Italy

Isola Bella is one of the Borromean Islands in Lake Maggiore in Piedmont, Italy. It is 320 metres long and 400 metres wide and is entirely occupied by the Palazzo Borromeo and its surrounding gardens. The island is situated approximately 400 metres from the town of Stresa.


Prior to 1632 the island, then known as isola di sotto or l'isola inferiore, was a rocky crag with a small fishing village. In 1632, Carlo III of the House of Borromeo began construction of a palace dedicated to his wife, Isabella D'Adda. The island is now named after this Isabella.


The Milanese architect, Angelo Crivelli, was responsible for the construction of the palazzo, as well as the planning of the gardens. The palazzo was not completed due to an outbreak of the plague in the Duchy of Milan around the middle of the century. 


Building of the palace resumed when the islands were passed onto Carlo's sons, Cardinal Gilberto III and Vitaliano VI. The completion of the works were the responsibility of the Milanese architect Carlo Fontana. The completed palace became a place of parties and theatrical events for the nobility of Europe.


Gilberto and Vitaliano left the completion of the gardens to their nephew, Carlo IV, which were inaugurated in 1671. The island continued to be a place to visit for the nobility right through to the middle of the nineteenth century.

Isola Bella III, Lake Maggiore, Piedmont, Italy by OldeWorldGifts

Vintage photomechanical print of Isola Bella, Lake Maggiore in Piedmont, Italy, which was taken towards the end of the 19th century. Photograph courtesy LOC (LC-DIG-ppmsc-06533). Visit OldeWorldGifts to see the full range of products featuring this beautiful vintage print.