Isola Superiore, also known as Isola dei Pescatori, is the only inhabited of the three Borromean Islands and has a strategic position. This has made it an important trading center for many decades, allowing it to be colonized by a group of fishermen.
Today it is one of the most important tourist attractions of Lake Maggiore, a must see for those who visit the Borromean Islands. It can be easily reached from Stresa and from the other islands. If you have seen it once, you might have had lunch in one of its famous restaurants: the island is usually the intermediate stop between Isola Madre and Isola Bella.
People living in a territory means that somewhere there must be a place of worship. And this is no exception for Isola dei Pescatori. Here, among the many little houses, you can find the church of San Vittore. Its origins date back to the XI century and its walls are home to some beautiful sixteenth-century frescoes. Today San Vittore is also very popular for weddings. Right behind the church there is a tiny cemetery where the tombs are usually adorned with little boats, as a symbol of the fishermen job, a traditional activity for the inhabitants of Isola dei Pescatori.
Among the species of fish more frequently catched we can name the carp, tench, pike and perch. But the undisputed protagonist of this cuisine is lavarello.
Lake Maggiore has always been subject to flood and dry spots, depending on the rain and the presence of dams. Flood is an event the inhabitants of the island are accustomed to, but it sometimes becomes exceptional. One of the most important floods was in 1868 when water reached the level of the tabernacle in the church of Stresa. More recently, Intra was flooded in 1993 and Angera in 2000. On Isola dei Pescatori, people have built the home entrances on a higher level than the street, in order to protect buildings from being flooded. So when the water rises, the scenery is spectacular, although it obviously causes issues for the inhabitants.
On Isola dei Pescatori the space is narrow, since properties have been built really close one to the other and on many floors, in order to take advantage of every meter possible. On the other hand, buildings usually have long balconies, which were built as a support to dry out fish.
The perfect time of the year to visit Isola dei Pescatori is August 15th. On this day, the most typical feast of Isola dei Pescatori takes place: a parade of boats celebrating the assumption of Mary into heaven with a procession on the water.
A curiosity about the history of Isola Superiore is that despite being part of the Borromean Islands, it is the only one that the Borromeo family never actually owned.
At the end of the day when asked what to see on the Borromean Islands the answer is simple: the islands themselves. In addition to the sumptuous Borromeo Palaces, in fact, it is the atmosphere of the place that makes it unique. So much so that the New York Times named the Borromean Islands - and thus Isola dei Pescatori - one of the 10 most fascinating places in the world.
Lun - Ven 9/13 - 14/18 Sab 9/13 Domenica - Su appuntamento
Mon - Fri 9/13 - 14/18 Sat 9/13 Sunday - On appointment
Mo - Fr 9/13 - 14/18 Sa 9/13 Sonntag - Nach Vereinbarung