Lago Maggiore
Film by www.thedronebook.de by Christian Wilhelm
Picturesque and rich in tradition little villages, charming landscapes where art and local tradition melt together and where nature is always the undisputed protagonist. This is only a little part of what Lake Maggiore can offer you. This destination will touch your soul and your memory.
GEOGRAPHY

Also known as Verbano, from the celtic words “Ver“(big) and “Benn” (container), Lake Maggiore is the second bigger glacial lake in Italy, after Garda Lake, follows the Lake Como and the Lake Iseo.
After having been created by glaciers in the quaternary age, today Lake Maggiore is fed by Toce and Ticino rivers. It is 66 kilometers long from Switzerland to Italy, northwards framed by the unique and breathtaking landscape of the Alps.
In the northern swiss side you can visit the towns of Locarno and Ascona, while in the southern italian side (with the provinces of Varese, Novara and Verbania) don’t miss a visit to Intra and Pallanza. Both piemont side of Lake Maggiore, from Arona to Stresa and from Baveno to Verbania, and Lombard one (visit the “Rocca di Angera” and the “Eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso”) are rich in architectural and natural points of interest.
Luino is the most relevant town of the east side. Its important Wednesday market (instituted by Charles V in 1541) full of stands proposing any kind of local products attracts tourists in any period of the year.
In the northern swiss side you can visit the towns of Locarno and Ascona, while in the southern italian side (with the provinces of Varese, Novara and Verbania) don’t miss a visit to Intra and Pallanza. Both piemont side of Lake Maggiore, from Arona to Stresa and from Baveno to Verbania, and Lombard one (visit the “Rocca di Angera” and the “Eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso”) are rich in architectural and natural points of interest.
Luino is the most relevant town of the east side. Its important Wednesday market (instituted by Charles V in 1541) full of stands proposing any kind of local products attracts tourists in any period of the year.
MOVING ALONG THE LAKE
Boat is certainly the better and fastest means of transport. Thanks to the company “Navigazione del Lago Maggiore” it is possible to reach by water almost any site (included italian and swiss islands).
And it is right by boat that the tourist can visit the suggestive Isole Borromee:
the original and picturesque “Isola dei Pescatori” , “Isola Madre” characterized by its famous exotic garden and “Isola Bella” shaped into an imaginary naval vessel by Charles III Borromeo’s architectural creative spirit. Going northway by land, in the Swiss side of the lake, many cultural events (Locarno International Film Festival, music events and more) will catch the attention of the most intellectual tourists.
The itinerary on Lake Maggiore proceed towards the imposing valleys surrounding the coast: “Val d’ Ossola”, “Val Formazza”, “Val Grande” and “Val Vigezzo”.
And it is right by boat that the tourist can visit the suggestive Isole Borromee:
the original and picturesque “Isola dei Pescatori” , “Isola Madre” characterized by its famous exotic garden and “Isola Bella” shaped into an imaginary naval vessel by Charles III Borromeo’s architectural creative spirit. Going northway by land, in the Swiss side of the lake, many cultural events (Locarno International Film Festival, music events and more) will catch the attention of the most intellectual tourists.
The itinerary on Lake Maggiore proceed towards the imposing valleys surrounding the coast: “Val d’ Ossola”, “Val Formazza”, “Val Grande” and “Val Vigezzo”.

SOME HISTORY
As a transport link between Italy and Switzerland and with its direct access to the Alps Lake Maggiore has always played an important and strategic role. In the middle of XV century Lake Maggiore became fief of Milan Borromeo family; they used it as a resort.
Between XVIII and XIX century noble families from Milan and Novara started spending their holidays and rest time in Lake Maggiore.
That was the period of the building of magnificent villas characterized by beautiful and great gardens (Villa Taranto and Villa Pallavicino on Stresa lakeside and the impressive Villa San Remigio on Castagnola promontory in Pallanza).
EVENTS
