Borromeo Islands
The Islands of a Legacy
I wanted a deep dive into the Borromean Islands because of how detailed they are. They are truly a labor of love, passion, and legacy.
The estate is composed of three islands:
Isola Bella (Isabella)
Isola Madre (First islands inhabited by the Borromeo family)
Isola Pescatore
The island that you'll see most of in my photos come from Isola Bella. On this island there is an impressive palazzo that Count Carlo Borromeo III owned with Countess Isabella D’Adda (of which the island is named after: Isola Isa”bella”).
Legacy
Their family legacy may be a bit complicated to understand so I will lay out a brief of organization within their family structure for guidance:
Lazzaro (1300)
“Pilgrim whom travelled to Rome to celebrate the Holy Year. Upon returning he was nicknamed ‘Bon Romeo’ - meaning ‘good pilgrim who traveled to Rome' - from which the family surname is said to be derived.
Margherita Borromeo & Giacomo Vitaliani
Giovanni I, Brother of Margherita, is a highly talented banker, amassed a huge wealth, and with no heir, adopts his sister’s son, Vitaliano.
Vitaliano I Borromeo (1391-1449)
“Purchased vast properties around Lago Maggiore, including the Rocca di Angera, laying the foundations for what was to become a large estate, called ‘Stato Borromeo’.”
Archbishop Carlo (1538-1584)
Nephew of Pope Pius IV Medici. In 1610 he was canonized as St. Charles.
Cardinal Federico Borromeo (1564-1631) was cousin of St. Charles, and left a cultural legacy in Milan with the Biblioteca and the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana (both opened in 1609).
Renato Borromeo I (1555-1608)
Regained possession of the islands on Lago Maggiore. Older brother of Cardinal Federico Borromeo.
Renato has two sons: Guilio & Carlo Borromeo III (1586-1652)
Carlo III inherits Isola Renata and renamed it Isola Madre. He marries Isabella D’Adda.
Renato II (1613-1685), Cardinal Gilberto III (1615-1672), Count Vitaliano VI (1620-1690)
Sequence of Events
Flight to Heathrow
London
Milan
Lago Maggiore
Rest in Milano
Torino
Final Days in Milan
Nap time in Heathrow
Home
“The Island is my lady, so I ask that Your Lordship be sympathetic to a man in love, who pursues the object of his love.”
A Glimpse at Baroque Decadence
Architecture, Gardens, & Art
From all the paintings, sculptures, frescos, tile mosaics, plant selections, variety of wild life, variety of still life, and more!
I’ve never, ever, seen a more beautiful collection of life so articulated and well conceived. From the foundation and the grotto, to the best rooftop garden to make Adam & Eve jealous, this safe haven is magical. I could spend years there, inspecting every corner, window, and vista that this palazzo has to offer. On top of that, we barely got a chance to view the other two islands as Isola Bella was exhausting to navigate with the great amounts of art. I would love to send a healthy amount of time exploring the other islands in the future, spending quality time to analyze and enjoy all that these islands have in store.
I honestly can’t image that this was all achieved in one lifetime. Thank you Vitaliano VI Borromeo, you are better than any Renaissance man, you are a true Baroque Man.
