Palazzo Borromeo dell'Isola Bella

About the museum

The Isola Bella rises from the waters of Lake Maggiore: from a simple rock in the 17th century it became a place of beauty and culture thanks to the Borromeo family, who have owned it since then. The first projects are due to Giulio Cesare III and Carlo III, while Vitaliano VI is named as the true founder of the island. The name derives from Isola Isabella, in honour of Isabella d’Adda, wife of Carlo III, who received the island as her dowry.

In 1630 the Baroque garden was designed, conceived together with the palace as a harmonious whole. Work continued for centuries until 1948, when the island took on its present layout with the completion of the Salone Nuovo in the palace. Seen from the mainland, the island is shaped like a ship: to the south the terraced garden and the Teatro Massimo, to the north the palace and the jetty.

The palace is a monumental representative residence, the result of architectural work lasting centuries, with Baroque masterpieces and historic rooms that hosted distinguished guests. The Italian Baroque garden displays rare old plantings, while the island’s village preserves fishermen’s houses, workshops and the Vicolo del Fornello.

Highlights

• Representative palace with Baroque masterpieces and historic rooms
• Terraced Italian Baroque garden, designed in 1630
• Teatro Massimo, at the south of the island
• Grottoes, visitable with the guided tour
• Fishermen’s village with the Vicolo del Fornello

Permanent exhibition

• Palazzo Borromeo e Giardino Barocco – Visit to the historic rooms of the Baroque palace and to the terraced Italian garden designed in 1630.

Operated by

Famiglia Borromeo

Visitors per year

approx. 350,000

Admission & discounts

The entrance ticket covers Palazzo Borromeo and the Baroque Garden; the guided tour covers the palace and the grottoes. Prices may vary according to the date of visit, the type of ticket and the purchase channel; tickets are bought online. An individual audio guide and private exclusive visits are available on request (event@terreborromeo.it).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Because of the island’s layout, the gardens and the constraints of the Soprintendenza (heritage authority), access may be difficult for people with motor disabilities; a lift in the palace allows visits to the first-floor rooms. Guide dogs and medical assistance dogs are admitted, while other animals may not enter the palace or the gardens. Strollers are not admitted to the palace: near the ticket office, lockers and an unattended area are available free of charge for leaving them. For access arrangements, it is advisable to contact the call centre on +39 0323 933 478.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly: not available

Strollers are not admitted to the palace; a free area for leaving them is available near the ticket office.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Lockers

On the island there are the Caffetteria Torre Noria, the Ristorante Delfino, Il Fornello (a shop with a kitchen), the Piadineria del Fornello and the Caffè Lago. Free lockers near the ticket office.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit