Historic Sites & Castles

Explore the historical evolution of Lake Maggiore through its defensive architecture and archaeological heritage. This collection spans from the Iron Age necropolis of the Golasecca culture to the medieval fortresses of the Visconti and Borromeo families, such as the well-preserved Rocca di Angera and the ruins of Rocca di Arona. Highlights include the 17th-century Colossus of San Carlo Borromeo, one of the world's tallest statues, and the ornate Baroque gardens of Villa Della Porta Bozzolo.

Rocca Borromeo di Angera

The Rocca Borromeo di Angera, or Rocca d'Angera, also called Borromeo Castle, is a rocca on a hilltop above the town of Angera in the…

Visconteo Castle

Visconti Castle Italian: Castello Visconteo is a castle in Locarno, Switzerland.

Rocca di Orino

An ancient fortress situated at 540 meters altitude. The site features perimeter walls and a square tower, offering a strategic vantage point over the Valcuvia.

Sancarlone

The San Carlone or Sancarlone or the Colossus of San Carlo Borromeo is a massive copper statue, erected between 1614 and 1698, near Arona,…

Golasecca culture

The Golasecca culture was a Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age culture in northern Italy, whose type-site was excavated at Golasecca in the…

Villa Della Porta Bozzolo

Villa Della Porta Bozzolo is a villa located at Casalzuigno in the province of Varese, northern Italy.

Rocca Borromea di Arona

Once a primary defensive fortress for the Borromeo family, these ruins overlook the southern end of Lake Maggiore. Historically significant as the birthplace of San Carlo Borromeo, the site was largely dismantled in 1800 following the Napoleonic wars.

Visconti Castle

The Visconti Castle of Massino is a medieval castle located on the Vergante hills in the municipality of Massino Visconti, Province of…