Villa Pallavicino
The villa is located in one of the most picturesque parts of the lake, a few minutes from the centre of Stresa. The neoclassical building was built in 1855 and from 1862 to the present day, together with the surrounding park, it has been the property of the Marquis of Pallavicino. The magnificent park is open to the public and since 1954 it has also housed a zoo, a favourite place for generations of residents of Stresa and its surroundings. Here you can see about 40 species of animals and exotic birds. The original structure of the zoo gives visitors the opportunity to get close to some of its inhabitants: deer, llamas, giant nandu ostriches. In addition to them, there are kangaroos, beavers, monkeys, zebras and a variety of exotic birds.
In the park, majestic oaks, plane trees, chestnut trees and overseas sequoias create a feeling of total immersion in the natural world, in full accordance with the ideals of romanticism that prevailed in the IXX century. Bridges, streams and waterfalls peek out from time to time from behind the lush vegetation. Huge living arches of specially trimmed cypress trees frame the views of the lake and the Borromeo Islands, and in front of them spreads a colourful and fragrant carpet of different colours. Behind all this riot of colour, it’s not easy at first to spot the statue of Hercules nestled in a “niche” of white, fragrant magnolia blossoms.
The park is open every day from March to October. A small steam train connects the park to the centre of Stresa from May to October.
Villa Taranto
“A good garden doesn’t have to be big. It should be the embodiment of your dreams, even if it’s only a few square metres and it’s on a balcony” – Captain Neil Mac Icharn, who created this masterpiece of garden art, framed by alpine peaks and the waters of Lake Maggiore. The 16 hectares of land contains a unique collection of plants, many of which have appeared on the European continent for the first time. The captain personally travelled around the world in search of “inhabitants” for his wonderful garden, investing almost all of his vast fortune in the realisation of his dream.
Magnificent landscape perspectives, statues, cascades and fountains, numerous botanical rarities open up before the visitor. Perhaps the most characteristic of these is the aquatic plant, on the leaf of which a child can sit quite comfortably. The collection of 100 varieties of rhododendrons is magnificent. The labyrinth of asters amazes with its richness of shapes and colours. In short, at any time this magical garden offers its guests a new combination of colours, scents and shapes. A visit to Villa Taranto will be an unforgettable experience for all lovers of plants and garden art.
