Castelli di Cannero

These are three rocky islets located in Lago Maggiore, opposite Cannero Riviera, on two of which there are ruins of ancient fortifications. They were built between the eleventh century and the twelfth century and called "Malpaga". Towards the end of the fourteenth century Mazzardi brothers lived there, called "Mazzarditi". During the following centuries they became a refuge for smugglers and even the seat of a band of counterfeiters. Nowadays only the ruins of the ancient fortifications remain: the ruins are one of the most picturesque views of the lake, colonized by different species of waterfowl such as mute swan, gull royal, major merganser, which nest sheltered in inaccessible gorges.