Isla Bella (Isola Bella) is a small island (320 x 400 m) on the legendary Lake Maggiore. It is one of the most popular travel destinations in Italy. Almost all of its territory is occupied by a palace and located around a park belonging to the influential Borromeo family.

Architectural structures on the island became popular after Charles III (1586-1652 - representative of the Borromeo family), as a gift to his wife Isabelli, built a palace on its territory. Since 1636, the island has been named, which became a phonetic abbreviation of two words: Island (island) and Isabella. The construction of the palace and the park were engaged by Angelo Crivelli, Francesco Castelli and, from the end of the seventeenth century. - Carlo Fontana.
In the 18th century, Bella Island (as a remote residence) was popular with aristocrats who traveled to Italy, including the English Lords, Napoleon and Josephine, and others. The palace building (now a museum) was built in the early Lombard Baroque style. Its interiors, also made in Baroque style, adorn paintings, sculptures and furniture. The museum includes Napoleon's Hall, Tapestry Hall and Luke-Giorgio's Hall, which features paintings by the artist.
The Borromeo family came from Florence. Despite their expulsion from the city (in 1370) in the late 14th and 15th centuries they were well-known bankers in Milan and Venice. The poor financial situation has enabled family members to control the vast region known as Borromeo State in Lombardy. However, in the 15th century, fearing conflicts with the Sforza family, usually in Milan, in Medici (in Florence) and in the Habsburg court, they left banking and lived (in the position of aristocrats) in the territory of their "state" . Two representatives of the dynasty (San Carlo Borromeo (1538-1584) and his cousin Frederick (1564-1631)) served as archbishops of Milan. The motto of the Humilitas family (Latin for Humility) was very popular with parishioners.

When the Borromeo family began buying up land in Isola Bella, it was just a rocky island with fishing settlements. Initially, a fortress was built in its northern part. Like most aristocrats of their time, Borromeo was a fan of gardening. Therefore, it was planned to create a large garden in the territory that was liberated from the gardens, the beginning of which was associated with the name of architect Angelo Crivelli. The first terraces were erected in 1652. The absence of water sources on the island caused the construction of an octagonal pressure tower.

After a break of fifteen years, architect Francesco Castelli (1620-1691) transformed the castle into a palace, and broke up a garden around it. Shrubs in the form of heraldic signs were planted at the central site. The garden, broken into the island, had about ten (one above the other) terraces, surrounded by balustrades and decorated with sculptures and obelisks. Their location emphasized the natural terrain of the site, rising 36 m above the lake level.
The design of the garden landscape made it possible to view the palace, the surrounding area and the lake from different points. The two upper terraces included large arches, from which paths diverged in different directions. The view from each terrace (which had its own collection of plants that emphasized its uniqueness), framed statues and obelisks. All this created a certain intrigue of "species".

Most of the figures were made by sculptor Carlo Simonetta (1662-1695). The central statue depicting a unicorn represented the heraldic symbol of the Borromeo family . Five terraces overlook Lake Maggiore. In the eastern part of the garden are large lawns with ornamental plants . In general, the entire landscape complex embodies the idea of baroque theatrical set design .
Now the island hosts a festival of classical music every year .

Source: www.myplanet.com.ua

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