L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 24 L'Italo-Americano I sola Bella, a well- known destination in the Italian Lakes District, is located in Piedmont, within t h e p r o v i n c e o f V e r b a n o - Cusio-Ossola, and lies just a s h o r t d i s t a n c e f r o m t h e renowned city of Stresa and a couple of hours by car from Turin. Its history is connected with the Borromeo fami- ly, whose influence on Ital- ian cultural and political life d a t e s b a c k t o t h e M i d d l e Ages. Initially, the island was a simple rocky crag with a tiny fishing village: the lake's w a t e r s p r o v i d e d a r i c h s o u r c e o f f i s h , i n c l u d i n g perch, pike, and trout, which formed the basis of the local diet and economy. In 1632, Carlo III Borromeo began a n a m b i t i o u s p r o j e c t t o transform this modest islet into a dazzling court that c o u l d r e f l e c t t h e f a m i l y ' s stature. This visionary pro- ject began with the construc- tion of a palatial residence a n d w a s a d v a n c e d b y h i s heirs, particularly Cardinal Giberto III and Vitaliano VI. The latter was notably passionate about the gardens and invested considerable e f f o r t a n d r e s o u r c e s t o ensure they were as grand as the palace itself. The name "Isola Bella," w h i c h m e a n s " b e a u t i f u l i s l a n d " i n I t a l i a n , w a s b e s t o w e d i n h o m a g e t o Countess Isabella Bor- romeo, a figure of consid- e r a b l e s t a t u r e w i t h i n t h e family: she had married into the Borromeo dynasty and was known for her dignified presence, grace, and intelli- gence. Her marriage, as it o f t e n h a p p e n e d b a c k i n those days, was also a strate- g i c a l l i a n c e t h a t l i k e l y e n h a n c e d t h e s o c i a l a n d political standing of the Bor- romeos during that period. Dominating the landscape of Isola Bella, we find the a m a z i n g P a l a z z o B o r - romeo, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture, known for its vast halls and elabo- rate interiors. The Salone G r a n d e i s p a r t i c u l a r l y remarkable: it is adorned with detailed stucco work and ceiling frescoes depict- ing the Borromeo family in mythologized scenes to sym- b o l i z e t h e i r p o w e r a n d divine favor. The Galleria Berthier is another high- light, housing an impressive a r r a y o f E u r o p e a n a r t , including tapestries, paint- ings, and sculptures collect- ed over centuries. Indeed, the art within Palazzo Bor- romeo is quite impressive and diverse, and features works by renowned Renais- sance artists such as Titian and Bordone. The presence of such important works of art here, in the home of the Borromeos, is the result of the family's long-standing s u p p o r t f o r t h e a r t s , a n d somehow cements to mod- ern eyes their legacy as art l o v e r s , c o n n o i s s e u r s a n d patrons. But Isola Bella is perhaps best known for its incredible gardens, which are nothing short of a theatrical master- piece: they were constructed i n t h e B a r o q u e s t y l e a n d their layout reflects an intri- cate pyramid structure of terraces. Each level of the g a r d e n i s d e c o r a t e d w i t h s t a t u e s , f o u n t a i n s , a n d obelisks that guide visitors through a beautifully crafted visual narrative. These ele- ments make the garden a stunning sight to behold and a m u s t - v i s i t f o r a n y o n e exploring the palace: exotic plants and flowers, collected from across the globe, have a home here and, interest- ingly, they were often quite rare in Europe when intro- duced to the island. Isola Bella is also famous for its white peacocks, which roam the gardens freely, adding a n e l e m e n t o f m a g i c a n d e x o t i c i s m t o t h e s e r e n e landscape. A l w a y s w i t h i n t h e g a r - dens, we find the Teatro M a s s i m o , a l a r g e amphitheater surmounted by a statue of a unicorn, a k e y e l e m e n t i n t h e B o r - romeo family crest. The ten t e r r a c e s r u n n i n g d o w n towards this central figure are structured in symmetri- cal layers, each brimming with a variety of flora and a d o r n e d w i t h s c u l p t u r e s that reflect the Borromeos' taste for the dramatic and the majestic. It is a beauti- fully elaborate, yet balanced design, that both enhances the visual grandeur of the gardens but is also used as a venue for hosting perfor- mances and events where arts and natural beauty go hand in hand. Speaking of natural and m a n - m a d e w o n d e r s , w e must mention the island's grottos. Located within the g r o u n d s o f P a l a z z o B o r - r o m e o , t h e s e c a v e s w e r e carefully designed to pro- vide a cool sanctuary from the summer heat, and fea- ture walls lined with shells, minerals, and semi-precious stones used to create intri- cate mosaics. The contrast- ing black and white pebbles along with marble and stuc- co fragments contribute to a mesmerizing visual effect that reflects the opulence a n d c r e a t i v i t y o f t h e B a r o q u e e r a , w h e n t h e palace was built. The grottos w e r e , a n d s t i l l r e m a i n , a strong statement of luxury a n d a r t i s t i c f l a i r , w h i c h speaks volumes about the world of the Borromeo fami- ly in past centuries, their a r t i s t i c n a t u r e , a n d t h e i r power T o d a y , I s o l a B e l l a remains a prominent venue for weddings and exclusive events, drawing guests from around the world. Its pic- turesque landscapes, com- bined with the historical and a r t i s t i c r i c h n e s s o f t h e palace and gardens, make it a beloved and exclusive des- tination for important cele- brations. The island hosted n u m e r o u s h i g h - p r o f i l e events, each benefiting from the stunning backdrop and the meticulous upkeep of its grounds, ensuring that Isola Bella continues to be a place where history, beauty, and modern festivities meet. Last but not least, let us take a look at what you can expect to enjoy at the table on the Isola Bella. The risot- to con pesce persico (risotto with perch) is a classic dish where locally caught perch is served with creamy, saf- f r o n - i n f u s e d r i s o t t o . T h e fish is typically pan-fried and laid atop the risotto. Another staple is lavarello al forno: lavarello, a type of whitefish native to the Ital- i a n l a k e s , i s o f t e n b a k e d with herbs and served with polenta. Speaking of which, y o u c a n e x p e c t t o e n j o y plenty of it on Isola Bella! Whether served conca (in the style of a concave loaf) o r a s p o l e n t a u n c i a (enriched with cheese and butter), polenta is a versatile component of local meals. As a sweet treat, you could t r y t h e f a m o u s a m a r e t t i f r o m t h e n e a r b y t o w n o f Stresa, almond cookies with a crispy outside and chewy i n s i d e , w h i c h a r e o f t e n enjoyed with coffee or tea. FRANCESCA BEZZONE Isola Bella, when a name tells a story An aerial view of the Isola Bella, which translates as "beautiful island" in Italian (Photo: Saiko3p/Dreamstime) ALL AROUND ITALY TRAVEL TIPS DESTINATIONS ACTIVITIES

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