Lake Maggiore on the border of Switzerland and Italy: recreation, attractions, villas

The Great Lakes of Italy is a popular tourist destination. Rest on Garda, Como and Lake Maggiore is considered even more prestigious than on the seaside. In this article we will talk about the last lake from the whole trinity. Few sightseeing tours to Italy from Russia give their customers the opportunity to see with their own eyes this blue pearl of the Alps. But in vain. It is said: "If you have a heart and a shirt, sell your shirt and have your soul sated - visit Lake Maggiore". It is the second largest lake in Italy. More of it by area only Garda. This lake is located on the border of Switzerland and Italy. Actually, the state cordon runs exactly on the water surface. On the Swiss side are such resorts as Locarno, where the best balneological hospitals of the country are located, and the ancient Ascona. Not far from the shores of Lake Maggiore is Lugano, for the stormy social life known as the European Rio de Janeiro. But in this article we will not be painting the resorts of Switzerland. Let's talk about the Italian part of Lake Maggiore. How to get there, where to stop and what to see - read below.

Geography

The name Lago Maggiore is translated from Italian as "Big Lake". The name of the reservoir speaks for itself: it extends from north to south for as much as sixty-six kilometers. The lake was formed due to the ancient glacier, which descended from the Alps and plowed the hollow, damming the reservoir with its moraine. This explains the narrowness of Maggiore, with its precipitous and steep banks. At the widest point the lake spills ten kilometers. At the same time, the reservoir is very deep (the maximum indicator is 375 meters), because the glacial tongue crawled along the tectonic fault. In Lake Maggiore, the water is very clean due to constant circulation. Located this pond at an altitude of almost two hundred meters above sea level. The area of the lake is 212.5 square kilometers, which leads to Maggiore in second place after Garda. In the reservoir flows and flows out of it the navigable river Ticino (tributary of the Po). Lake Maggiore on the world map is divided into two European states. Switzerland, more precisely, the canton of Ticino owns only about twenty percent of the reservoir (in the north). But in the Italian part of the lake there is a border - between provinces. The eastern shore of Maggiore belongs to Lombardy, and the western coast to Piedmont. Traditionally, the water body is divided into two parts - the upper and lower. The first begins near the borders of Switzerland, near the town of Cannobio and extends to Verbania. Lower Maggiore is an area lying to the south of the conventional line Belgirate - Castelletto Sopra Ticino in Piedmont.

Climate of the region

From the north Lake Maggiore (Italy) close the high Lombard Alps. They form the climate of the reservoir. It is soft, warm, but unpredictable. Of course, the alpine peaks serve as a reliable barrier to cold northern winds. But sometimes the ice air that has accumulated in the high gorges breaks into the heated lake basin, causing storms. Then the locals say that they blew the maggiore (the north wind) or the mergo (the western). But these are emergency situations. And usually the lake is famous for its wonderful soft and warm climate. The water surface does not freeze in winter. The water level in the lake depends on the season and varies within four meters. Its maximum filling in Maggiore reaches in June - at the time of melting glaciers, feeding Ticino and other, smaller rivers. The tourist season lasts from May to October. Although in this period, vacationers are not immune from unexpected storms. The prevailing winds are Tramontana. It blows in the first half of the light day from the lake to the shore. After lunch, the tramontan is replaced by an inverted water, which, before sunset, makes a slight ripple on the water surface.

How to get to the lake

Excursion tours to Italy provide holidaymakers from Russia with trips to the capital of Lombardy Milan or the main city of Piedmont Turin. To reach Lake Maggiore from these two points is not difficult. Independent travelers can be advised such a route. Prior to Milan, regular flights of "Alitalia" and "Aeroflot" depart. From the capital of Lombardy, there are buses to the resorts of Lake Maggiore. There is also a railway branch, ending in the coastal town of Verbania. The way from the north will be more convoluted. First you will need to get there by plane to Lucerne, Basel or Zurich. Lugano also has an airport, but flights from Russia are not sent there. But from various Swiss cities, you can reach by train to the lakes of Lake Maggiore, Locarno or Bellinzona in just three hours. And from there you can cross the border with Italy by bus (quickly and cheaply) or on a comfortable cruise ship (glamorous and chic). The main port in the southern part of the lake is Verbania. All the resorts along the coast are connected by a network of beautiful highways. Man has already drilled the steep banks of the lake with tunnels. So traveling on a regular bus from one point to another can already be considered an exciting excursion.

The amazing history of Lake Maggiore

The mild climate and richness of the waters caused by the fish that the local places were habitable for a very long time. It is not known what the Celtic tribes called the lake. But when the Legionnaires of Ancient Rome came here, they were impressed by the size of the pond. Therefore, they called him Lacus Maximus. In Latin it means the Greatest Lake. The Romans encircled the pond with a beautiful road, which has been preserved in fragments to the present day. In the Middle Ages, the name of the lake changed. Since the banks of the reservoir were thickly overgrown with fragrant verbena, Verbano became its name. In the early nineteenth century, Napoleon's troops made a brilliant crossing through the Alps. The French fortified and equipped the old road, making it convenient for carriages. The mild climate of the lake began to attract the Italian aristocracy to its shores. The rich built luxurious villas and palaces. The modest name of Verbano Lake did not reflect the greatness of their dwelling. Therefore, remembered the old Roman name of the reservoir. It was rewritten in modern Italian and began to sound like Lago Maggiore. Now on the shores of the lake resorts have grown, which began with the local aristocrats. But more ancient feudal castles rise on the rocky ledges. In unapproachable places, cliffs clung to the steep banks. And on the islets stretched luxurious palaces of nobles and representatives of the papal curia.

What are the hotels in the resorts of Lake Maggiore

Where to stay on this, which gives an unforgettable vacation, to the lake? Maggiore is dotted with resorts, each of which is unique. Whether you come to the Lombard side or to the Piedmontese shore, everything will be fine everywhere. The hotel base on the lake is well developed. But there is one but. Hotels in Italy can not be called budget. And on Lake Maggiore, where rest is considered prestigious, prices soar - especially in the tourist season. But what a variety of hotels! You can even live on the islands of Borromeo. True, this pleasure will cost twenty-three thousand rubles a night. A lot of hotels are located in two resort towns - Verbanje and Stresa. Discerning clients can be advised by a five-star hotel "Villa e Palazzo Aminta" or "Grand Majestic". An excellent choice of housing provides local "quartet": "Belvedere", "Anchor" and others. Prices in them range from five to seven thousand rubles. Do not be afraid to stop in the Troika. The hotels of Albergo Pesce d Oro, Aquadolce and Il Kiostro in Verbanje are an excellent balance between price and quality of services. The cost of the rooms in such hotels is about three thousand rubles. In the summer months, camping works. They can stop not only customers with a car. Camping out for rent mobile cabins.

Attractions of Lake Maggiore

Rest on this large alpine pond is notable not only for its natural beauties. Due to the richness of the historical and cultural sights of Lago Maggiore, Milan is less than Milan, Turin or Verona. The lake is a wonderful symbiosis of lush southern nature and human genius. Palaces and villas are beautifully fit in the landscape. An excursion to Lake Maggiore will be incomplete without visiting the islands. Especially popular is the Borromeo archipelago with Isolo Bella (it houses the Cardinal's palace), Pescatori, Madre, San Giovanni and the tiny Skolio della Malgera. But the islands will be discussed below. It should also be mentioned that the shores of the lake are also not lacking in palaces, villas and wonderful botanical gardens. Beach holiday against the background of these miracles is receding into the background. And the nature that gave Maggiore rocky picturesque beaches, did not create conditions for him. The beaches are mostly artificial terraces above the water surface. But there are excellent conditions for hiking and cycling. On a small tourist boat, yacht or boat, you can make a fascinating journey through Lake Maggiore.

Resorts on the west coast of a mountain reservoir

Each region of Italy is interesting in its own way. In Piedmont the most "promoted" are Stresa and Verbania. The latter is due to the fact that this is a well-developed transport hub. Verbania has already become like Sochi - it included small towns. And Stresa is interesting because it is easy to get to the islands of Borromeo. In addition, the cabins of the cable car start from it, taking away tourists to the top of Mount Mottarone, from where the enchanting view of the lake opens. Very interesting is Arona. Here in 1538 was born San Carlo, a representative of the noble family of Borromeo. The patrimonial nest, the fortress of Rocca Arona, is no longer there - it was destroyed by the troops of Napoleon. But you can admire the "Colossus of San Carlone" - thirty-five-meter sculpture of this cleric. Also very interesting are the resorts of Cannobio, Ojebbio, Cannero Riviera, Giffa, Baveno, Belgirate, Maina, Lesa, Castelletto Sopra-Ticino and Dormelletto. It should be especially told about Strez. Here are the most famous villas on Lake Maggiore. You should certainly see the palace of Pallavicino with a beautiful park. Also worthy of a visit to Villa Ducale and Castelli. Cannobio - a very ancient town, which keeps traces of the Romans. Above Giffa, near Verbania, stands the mountain of the Holy Trinity. On it is a complex of chapels on the UNESCO list.

Spa pearls of Lombardy

Even if you live on the west coast, nothing prevents you from crossing the narrow Lake Maggiore to admire the wonderful sights of the eastern region. Directly opposite to Stresa, Angela is located. It is famous for its medieval castle, which alternately changed the brilliant hosts - Scaligeri, Visconti, Borromeo. Anger should be visited with children, because inside the ancient citadel there is a wonderful museum of dolls. It was founded at the end of the twentieth century by Princess Bona Borromeo-Arreze. Lake Maggiore from the Lombard side is decorated with such no less interesting resorts as Ranko, Sesto Calende, Ispra, Bezozzo, Brebbia, Monvalle, Laveno Mombello, Ledjuno, Castelveecchana, Brezzo di Bedero, Porto Valtavaglia, Jerminjaga, McCanno, Luino, Tronano-Lago Maggiore and Pinot-sulla-Sponda. A true tourist attraction of the east coast is the monastery of Santa Catarina del Sasso. It was literally cut down on a steep cliff at the beginning of the fourteenth century. The monastery seems impregnable, but you can get into it not only from the side of the water, but also from the land. Lovers of untouched nature civilization can be advised to visit the national park Ticino. It is divided between Lombardy and Piedmont. The park stretches along both banks of the Ticino River.

Islands of Lake Maggiore

Of course, the main attraction of the alpine basin is the Borromean archipelago. It consists of three small and two very tiny islands. Almost the entire territory of Izola Bella is occupied by the Borromeo palace. The island separates from the town of Stresa only four hundred meters of water. The palace itself was built in the style of Lombard Baroque in the year one thousand six hundred and thirty-second by Charles III Borromeo for his wife Isabella. A beautiful park, consisting of Italian and English parts, was defeated later. The castle was visited by Napoleon with Josephine, the English Queen Caroline Braunschweig and other famous people. The name "Izola Pescatori" says that this island was from the earliest times inhabited by fishermen. It is worth to visit this town and wander through its narrow streets. On this tiny stretch of land three hundred meters long and a hundred meters wide, several hotels have settled down. "Albergo Verbano" consists of only twelve numbers, so you need to book in advance. Isola Madre is privately owned. You can only admire them from afar. Lake Maggiore is famous not only for the Borromeo archipelago. Near the coast of Konnobio rise three islets of Castelli di Kennero. They once towered ancient castles - hence the name. The region of Lombardy, unlike Piedmont, has only one island on Lake Maggiore. This is Isolino Partegra. But on it there is an excellent sandy beach.

What to try in this region

Lake Maggiore has long been famous for its fish. Therefore, the local region has its own cuisine, different from the Lombard and Piedmontese, where the main ingredient is meat and cheeses. So everywhere on Lake Maggiore, you should try the dishes from the lake fish. Of course, in the summer heat, it's nice to refresh yourself with a wonderful Italian ice cream. There is no shortage here in traditional pizzerias and spaghetti. But there are places on the lake where specialties are served, which you can taste only here and nowhere else. Gourmets should visit Stresa not only for the villas of Pallavicino and Ducale, the islands of Borromeo or the summit of Mottarone. Only in this small town do the delicious friable cookies "Margheritine". Recipe for this dessert in the late nineteenth century came up with a culinary specialist from Stresa specially for the Princess of Savoy. Later Margarita became the queen of Italy.

Reviews

Lake Maggiore (Italy) is popular with yachtsmen and windsurfers, since "right" winds are blowing here. But do not count on a good beach holiday. Places where the bottom is shallow and you can go into the water is very small. The steep banks go under the water immediately to the depth. Because of the constant circulation, the lake does not warm up well. Lago Maggiore is attractive to others. Luxury villas, most of which are now open to museums, enchanting nature, surfing, hiking and cycling, ancient castles and islands, boat trips or sailing yachts - that's what one of Italy's great lakes is famous for.