On my oh! so memorable trip to the northern Italian lakes, we explored a succession of villas and gardens, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of snow-capped mountains and glittering water. This fabulous scenery and benign climate have attracted aristocrats and the wealthy for years. One of those families is the Borromeos, bankers and merchants of Milan who started acquiring islands on Lake Maggiore in the 16th century.
It is difficult to overstate the extravagant beauty and dramatic WOW! effect of the Borromeo Palace and terraced gardens located on Isola Bella, one of the three Borromeo-owned islands in the lake. Today’s post will reveal the interiors of this sumptuous palazza, a masterpiece of Italian Baroque 17th century architecture, its walls covered in priceless paintings, and elaborate decorative work, to include the ceilings. It took four centuries to turn this “rock of the lake into a place of delights.” Need I say more?
It is within these walls that the main wedding reception in 2015 of Princess Caroline of Monaco’s son, Pierre Casiraghi, and Beatrice Borromeo took place. What more appropriate setting could there be than this fanciful froth of Baroque details, work that began in the 17th century, and continued throughout the 18th and 19th centuries until 1948. By that year the grand Salon Nuovo, the northern facade, and the great pier were built, resulting in this current layout that we visited.
Further, the delicate, intricate terrazza floors are a study in the beauty of this Italian art.
The “Apartment of Grottos” became part of the palazza early on (1662), rooms for the summer located at water level to enjoy the cool breezes of the lake and the breathtaking panorama. The bizarre variety of materials (pebbles, lava, marble fragments, mica, stone-encrustations, and stucco) and the whimsical nature of the decorations (six separate themes) definitely produce a sense of wonder!
Of course, all accessible directly from the gardens.
Gardens that we shall visit next week…arrivederci.
There are no words – just your words – a sense of wonder! Thank you for sharing the beauty once again!
I wish everyone of you could have been with me…I still can’t believe my eyes…xB
Is it wrong…to gasp out loud…early in the morning…& frighten your hubs half to death…
I can now, no longer, “open” your blog till he’s had coffee…anyway, “HOW DID they find SO MANY craftsman with SO MUCH TALENT??!?? Your photos!!!! franki
It was an era…long, over 4 centuries, as well as long gone by…xB
From toe to head, your pictures are a chef de cuisine’s FEAST for the EYES! I agree with Franki, that one should FINISH coffee before opening your blog. Otherwise it is possible that you might have coffee colored Jackson Pollack walls.
Aaah, Tall R, you have sucha a way with words!! xxB
Incredibly beautiful …thank you for taking us along with you on this fabulous journey!
You are so welcome…it was pretty fab, even taking into account the rain! xB
I do so enjoy living vicariously through your travels. I am looking forward to the Italian gardens next week!
Thank you, I plan for travels to play even a greater part in my life going forward…xB
LOVELY LADY,
IN TOTAL AGREEMENT WITH ‘ALL’ THE ABOVE REPLIES.
AS FOR MOI, HOW ABOUT …
*** NOTHING EXCEEDS LIKE ‘EXCESS’ ***
(OF COURSE WITH – ‘TASTE’)
FONDLY,
TOM
Right to the point! xB
Palazza? Palazzo?
Tomato, tomatoe…LOL xB
Coincidence? I just finished reading a biography of
St. Charles Borromeo and he relinquished all this
fortune and trappings for a simple life, once he had
redeemed his political service to family and country.
Such artistic grandeur will not be duplicated in our
time. Thank you for this glimpse and awe, Bettie dear.
Aah, the great gestures of history…xB
OH MY IS WHAT I SAY!!! Tom is so right especially this Palace! Nothing exceeds like excess in great taste!
“Great taste” is the key point! xB