"Isola Bella in Lake Maggiore is largely the creation of the Borromeo family in the 17th century. It combines glorious stuccoed rooms, built above grottoes overlooking the lake, with one of the most fantastic gardens in Italy... Attempts to unravel the history of its making still pose difficulties, because of its size, because of the huge span of time involved, and because of the great number of architects and craftsmen commissioned to work there." (74)
The micro-climates of the Italian Lakes contribute to Isola Bella being drier and warmer than the shores of Lake Maggiore half a mile away. Due to the unique climate situation, special consideration in the selection of vegetation was necessary to ensure the success of the gardens.
--Haslam, R. (1994). Isola Bella, Lake Maggiore: A Seat of Principe Giberto Borromeo. Country Life, 188(21), 74-79.
Keywords: Italy, Piemonte, Novara, outdoor spaces, views, Palazzo Borromeo, garden. Submitted by Zachary Snyder.
