A little history

At the beginning of this century, a Dutch family was looking for a spacious house on Lake Maggiore. Their connection to the Italian lake had long been established, as the grandparents had spent several weeks in a caravan at a campsite there in the 1960s. The children enjoyed this time and later returned with their own families to experience the relaxed atmosphere of the towns of Stresa, Verbania, Cannobio, and the surrounding mountains.

The rebirth of Casa Pallanza

During a boat trip along the romantic coast of Pallanza in 2018, a large villa caught the eye. Hidden behind an old magnolia tree, surrounded by a large garden, and situated on a quiet street, a hidden jewel was waiting. A pearl that still needed polishing. In the eyes of the Dutch family, it was perfect: a villa from 1860 with a guest house, a garden right on the water, and its own harbor. Enough space to accommodate a whole family with relatives and friends.

The renovation was undertaken on a grand scale by the architectural duo from Verbania, Mauro and Federica Bissattini. They gave the villa and the guest house a modern touch while preserving the authentic style elements. The garden, with its camellias, palm trees, fig tree, giant pine, and the huge magnolia serving as a natural sunshade, remained as it was: practical with plenty of space to play and enjoy the sun.

To welcome large groups and families, the design of the property paid attention to providing enough space: a five-meter-long terrace table offers enough room for “la grande familia,” seven spacious bedrooms each have their own bathroom, and there are numerous lounge areas, both in the sun and in the shade. Sports and games are also not neglected: a volleyball net, table tennis, and a trampoline are available for guests of all ages. The billiard room was also restored to its original condition, with the billiard table of the previous owner, a billiard champion of the 1950s. Casa Pallanza shines in new splendor.

The old town of Pallanza is also worth a visit. It still retains its original charm and is surrounded by magnificent historic villas. Highlights include the luxurious Belle Époque Hotel Majestic, the renowned botanical garden of Villa Taranto, and Villa Giulia, which once served as Mussolini’s headquarters. A visit to the Renaissance church Madonna di Campagna with its 11th-century bell tower and Villa San Remigio is also worthwhile. Across from it lies the private island of San Giovanni, which also offers an enchanting view.

With the Val Grande National Park, the old town, and the nearby lakes, the region offers everything for a varied holiday. Boredom is certainly not an option at Lake Maggiore.

Pallanza in the Past

The town of Pallanza was founded in Roman times and, due to its strategic location on the lake, was often the site of conflicts and power changes over the centuries. It was only after Italy’s independence from Austrian rule in 1859 that the Italian upper class discovered the Piedmont shore of Lake Maggiore for themselves. In the second half of the 19th century, the expansion of the railway network and the increasing steamship connections boosted the popularity of the lake as a destination, attracting more and more vacationers.

Villas were built along the entire coast from Arona to Cannobio, often by aristocrats from Northern Europe. English, German, and Russian visitors were drawn by the mild climate and romantic atmosphere, made famous by the tradition of the Grand Tour. During this time, a series of magnificent villas were built in Pallanza, which, due to their privileged location on the lake, were particularly beautiful.

In this era, “modern” botanical gardens were created in Northern Italy. Exotic plants brought from the East to Europe by travelers and English gardeners—azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, and magnolias—breathed a color explosion into the geometric arrangement of formal Italian gardens.

Casa Pallanza

A small villa was originally sited where Casa Pallanza stands. The oldest parts of the villa and guesthouse date from 1870. The two buildings did not belong together then. The villa was built by an Italian aristocrat. At the beginning of the 20th century the villa was bought by a wealthy Italian family from Varese; a famous Italian billiard champion. They expanded the villa and bought the neighbor’s house to turn it into a guesthouse. In the 1960’s the villa was renovated. Over 50 years later, a Dutch family bought the property and restaurated the villa, guesthouse, harbour and garden according to modern standards.

Interesting buildings

Casa Pallanza is surrounded by historical buildings and gardens:

Villa Rusconi-Clerici

This late 19th-century house is beautifully preserved with rich neo-baroque decorations. It is surrounded by an English-style garden featuring an old lemon house with various species of citrus trees. The garden has been expanded to include a pavilion, making it ideal for receptions and weddings. The camellias in the garden most likely came from the renowned Rovelli nursery, one of the best-known Italian growers of acid-loving plants at that time.

Villa Giulia

Built in 1847 by Cavalier Ferdinando Branca, the creator of the famous Italian liquor, Fernet Branca, Villa Giulia boasts a majestic façade facing the lake. It features loggias and columns on each floor, with a rounded terrace at the top. Constructed in the Liberty style, the villa is complemented by a beautiful English garden in the front. In 1932, it was converted into a casino and club. However, in 1987, the Pallanza Town Hall acquired Villa Giulia and transformed it into a cultural venue that hosts exhibitions, events, music, and local product tastings.

Villa Taranto

The Giardini di Villa Taranto were designed by Captain Neil McEacharn, who bought the estate in 1931 from the Marquise di Sant’Elia. His goal was to recreate a piece of his beloved Scotland by creating an exemplary English garden that balanced beauty and botanical diversity. The garden’s name was chosen to honor one of his ancestors, Marshal McDonald, who was named Duke of Taranto by Napoleon. Over nine years, an innovative irrigation system was installed, drawing water directly from the lake. The gardens feature fountains, terraces, a winter garden, marshlands, and pools for water lilies and lotus flowers. Spanning approximately 16 hectares, the Giardini di Villa Taranto house around 1,000 non-native plants and 20,000 varieties and species of special botanical interest.

Villa San Remigio

Dating back to the early 20th century, Villa San Remigio was built as a symbol of the great love between Marquis Silvio della Valle di Casanova, a poet and musician, and the Irish painter Sofia Browne. The villa sits on the hill of Castagnola, between the 17th-century church of the same name and the gardens of Villa Taranto. The villa’s façades are in the Lombard Baroque style, and it features distinctive balconies supported by a rock tunnel with a colonnade that serves as a winter garden. The extensive park includes majestic trees, terraces, staircases, and ancient sculptures, as well as a medieval vegetable garden, an orchard, and several themed gardens: the Garden of the Hours, the Garden of Joy, the Garden of Memories, and the Garden of Sighs.

The island

In front of Casa Pallanza, about 30 meters from the shore, lies the island of Isolino di San Giovanni. The earliest mentions of this island are found in documents from Emperor Otto III at the end of the 10th century, when it was known as Isola di Sant’Angelo. The island once housed a castle and a chapel dedicated to the Archangel Michael, which likely gave the island its original name. After the chapel was destroyed, the island was renamed San Giovanni after the chapel dedicated to John the Baptist (San Giovanni Battista).

In the mid-12th century, the island came into the possession of the Counts of Barbavara, as noted in documents from Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. By the late 16th century, the noble Borromeo family decided to establish a college for the Barnabites on Isolino di San Giovanni. They purchased the island in 1632, at which time a villa was built, and a garden was established. The Palazzo Borromeo and its surrounding park achieved their current appearance following mid-19th-century renovations. The island is best known as the residence of the famous Italian conductor Arturo Toscanini, who lived there from 1927 to 1952. Today, Isolino di San Giovanni and Palazzo Borromeo remain in private ownership and are not open to the public.