Top 9 Castles around Massino Visconti

Spectacular view of the city of Arona and Lake Maggiore

It's a shame that you have to pay for every extra and every nice thing, but that's just the way it is - but of course it's definitely worth it; perhaps you should consider before your trip which sights are so important that you're "happy" to pay for them.

You should definitely plan enough time to visit the palace, because it is really worth it.

The Palazzo Borromeo is very impressive. It feels like you've stepped back in time. https://terreborromeo.it/de/palazzo-borromeo

Once you arrive in Arona, walk along the lakeside and have an ice cream, go up to visit the statue of S. Carlone but... don't forget to visit the Rocca too! Founded in a period shortly before the year 1000 under the control of the Lombards, for four centuries the Rocca remained in the hands of the Borromeo family, giving birth to Cardinal San Carlo Borromeo in 1538; the history of the Rocca di Arona ends in 1800 when the Napoleonic army received the order to destroy some fortifications occupied by the Austrians; from that moment on only a few ruins of the Rocca di Arona remain. From above you can also enjoy a spectacular view of Arona below, of Angera opposite and of this entire stretch of lake!

The Church of the Purification of the Virgin Mary is the parish church of Massino Visconti in the Province and Diocese of Novara. It is part of the Vergante pastoral unit. The first mention of a Catholic church in Massino dates back to 887. The new church was built in the second half of the 16th century with three naves and was given the title of parish church during the same period, after the Church of San Michele was severely damaged by a landslide. In the first half of the 19th century, the old Romanesque bell tower was demolished and replaced with a new tower. The church's striking, west-facing façade consists of three volumes interrupted by pilasters: the main body, characterized by the main portal, is preceded by a small portico opening into a serliana in the center, while the two side wings have secondary entrances. Attached to the parish church is the stone bell tower with a square floor plan. Its cell has a single-lancet window on each side, protected by a balustrade, and is crowned by a pyramidal spire resting on a drum with an octagonal base. The interior of the building is divided into three naves, overlooking which the side chapels face. Pillars and columns support round arches, above which runs the molded and projecting entablature, upon which the vaults rest. At the end of the hall is the presbytery, raised a few steps, bordered by balustrades and housing the main altar. Several valuable works have been preserved here, including the 16th-century frescoes depicting Saint Mary of the Assumption and the Coronation of Mary, as well as the paintings on the vaults depicting the Doctors of the Church and the symbols of the Evangelists. it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiesa_della_Purificazione_di_Maria_Vergine_(Massino_Visconti)

Until 1632, Isola Bella was a rocky outcrop on which a small fishing village stood. Carlo III Borromeo began leveling the rock and building a palace on the island for his wife, Isabella D'Adda. The Palazzo Borromeo and its gardens are a prime example of Baroque art. The palace features salons with views of the lake, numerous paintings by famous artists, precious furniture, marble, neoclassical stucco, ancient sculptures, armor, and Flemish tapestries made of silk with gold thread. The basement contains several shell grottoes with light and dark stone and shell decorations. The gardens are staircased and pyramid-shaped, based on ancient models, and are bordered by balustrades, on which numerous statues of mythological heroes and animals are scattered. Source: Wikipedia

Still very well preserved - great panoramic view