Yesterday we took a day trip to the beautiful Lake Maggiore in Stresa about an hour north of Milan. The lake, which sits at the base of the Alps near Switzerland/Italy border looks like it could be on the cover of a post card. Unfortunately the gods were not on our side and it rained and thunderstormed for most of the day.
The Lake has three islands on it and we took a little boat with the nicest captain across the water to tour the amazing houses there. The first island (Isola Madre) was home to wonderful
english style gardens that had peacocks and other various birds freely roaming the grounds. The male peacock was nice enough to let us take many pictures of him! Also on the island is the residence of the Borromeo family which still owns the mansion to this day. It was constructed in the sixteenth century and is quite massive. It houses many paints, original furniture, and very elaborate puppet stages. (I counted three, all containing different scenes) Dr. Wright told us they used to teach their children different morals through the different puppet stories. Behind the house there was a small chapel and pond that had the most beautiful lotus flowers in them. After a quick lunch at the little cafe that they have recently put on the island (I don't think cafes were trendy in the sixteenth century!) we headed to the next island and an even more extravagent home.
View of the mainland from Isola Madre. The Alps are in the distance, but the rain made the pictures very gray
stairs leading up to some of the gardens
The front of the mansion on Isola Madre
The second island that we traveled to was called Isola Bella, and for good reason. This übermansion was one of the most extravagant places I have ever been in, I would go as far as to call it a palace. It would give the castle Ludwig built in Germany that resembled Versailles a run for its money. The home was constructed in the 1600's by Carlo III of the Borromeo family for his wife Isabella-quite a gift! This place had more rooms than I could keep track of, the crest of the family on everything, and has grottos built on the lower levels of the mansion. The views were absolutely breathtaking, but unfortunately after only 3 photos I was told I wasn't allowed to take pictures and put my camera away.
Crest of the family (crown and humanitas in latin)
gorgeous baby blue two story room, this is where I got in trouble! haha
amazing work of art in the outside garden on top of the island. There is a unicorn on top, another symbol for the family.
view from the very top looking out to the mainland
After touring this mansion we wandered through some small shops on the island picked up souvenirs. We then headed back to the mainland and were able to go swimming in the lake for about a half hour because it had finally stopped raining and the sun was fighting to get through the clouds.
Connie, me, Ally, Diana, and Greta in the lake!
The rest of the brave swimmers!
No comments:
Post a Comment