Isola Bella emerges gracefully from the waters of Lake Maggiore, its silhouette elegant and alluring. Its charm lies in the harmonious balance between nature and architecture, captivating visitors at first sight. Equally compelling is its history—a story of transformation spanning four centuries. What was once a barren rock in the seventeenth century has been transformed into a place of extraordinary beauty, culture, and modernity, thanks to the enduring vision of the Borromeo family, who have owned the island since that time. 

The island began to take shape under the guidance of Giulio Cesare III and Carlo III, and later Vitaliano VI, widely regarded as its true architect. Approaching from the mainland, one is struck by its resemblance to a ship: the terraced gardens cascading downward and the Teatro Massimo to the south evoke a prow, while the Palazzo and pier to the north form the stern. Its name, originally “Isola Isabella,” honors Isabella d’Adda, the wife of Carlo III, who received the island as part of her dowry and, in 1630, envisioned its baroque gardens. Over the centuries, the island has continued to evolve, culminating in its present form in 1948 with the completion of the Salone Nuovo in the Palazzo and other refinements.