Monte Isola

Monte Isola (also spelled Montisola) is a town and comune in the province of Brescia, in Lombardy. It is located on an island of the same name in Lake Iseo and, as of 2011, its population is of 1,807. Monte Isola is Italy's largest island within a lake. Due to its size and road construction, Monte Isola has driving restrictions and only public services and the priests are allowed to drive on the island. This makes this little fishing village, perched on the lakeside a peaceful retreat. It is possible to take bikes on the ferry to and from the island. Bike hire is also available and there are some lovely walks one in particular there is the 15 km (9 mi) tourist route that encircles the island. To get to Monte Isola the shortest ferry ride is from Sulzano which is only 800m away from the shoreline arriving in Peschiera Maraglio, a small fishing village with pretty traditional houses on the lake front with bars and cafes too. Visiting Peschiera is like going back in time. The promenade is used for fish salting and drying and for repairing nets. Monte Isola is great for walkers. Most people take the route from Peschiera and head north along the coastal road or and take the mountain track above the shoreline. The highlight is a wonderful and panoramic climb from the village of Cure to the Madonna della Ceriola chapel, which is situated among the trees at the summit! Monte Isola has a population of approximately 1800 people who live in the 11 " hamlets". There are a number of churches built between 1400 and 1600 which have some lovely frescoes, statues and altars created by famous historic artists. Points of interest The single-nave church of S. Michele in Peschiera Maraglio was consecrated in 1648. This baroque church is notable for the many frescoes on the walls and on the ceiling and for its wooden carvings. The shrine of Madonna della ceriola stands 600 metres (1,969 feet) above sea level, the highest spot on the island. It can only be reached by walking from the small village of Cure. The fortress Martinengo can be reached from Menzino. It was built in the 15th century by Oldofredi and enlarged in the 16th century by Martinengo. After a long period of neglect, it has been renovated in an elegant residence by the architect Vittorio Faglia. In 1497 Catherine Cornaro, queen of Cyprus, sojourned here for a short stay. Geography With a total area of 12.8 square kilometres (4.9 sq mi), Monte Isola ranks as the largest lake island not only in Italy, but also in South and Central Europe. However, many lake islands in Finland, Sweden, Norway and the European part of Russia are larger. The peak of the island at 600 metres (1,969 feet) above sea level is 419 metres (1,375 feet) above the average surface elevation of Lake Iseo (181 m (594 ft)), making Monte Isola one of the highest lake islands in Europe. However, the island Gudfjelløya with its peak at 812 m (2,664 ft) above sea level rises 454 m (1,490 ft) above the lake Tunnsjøen, Norway. Monte Isola is formed by 12 frazioni: Carzano, Cure, Masse, Menzino, Novale, Olzano, Peschiera Maraglio, Porto di Siviano, Sensole, Senzano, Sinchignano and Siviano. The bordering municipalities are Iseo, Marone, Sale Marasino, Sulzano, Parzanica, Tavernola Bergamasca and Sarnico. There are two main ports Carzano and Peschieria with a frequent ferry service with the surrounding mainland villages, including Iseo. History There are indications of a Roman settlement. The first written document mentioning "Insulae curtis" dates from 905, when the island was listed among the properties of the monastery of S. Salvatore in Brescia. The family Oldofredi, rulers of Iseo, built on the island two strongholds in the 11th-12th centuries. Members of the powerful Visconti family came here to hunt in 1400. In 1497 Francesco Sforza, duke of Milan, gave the islanders some fishing rights and reduced the taxes. In the same year, Caterina Cornaro, queen of Cyprus, resided a while on the island. During the 19th century the main industry on the island was the construction of boats and the manufacturing of fishing nets. Peschiera Maraglio and Siviano (the municipal seat) merged in 1929 to create the actual comune. Demographics Photogallery References External links Media related to Monte Isola at Wikimedia Commons (Italian) Monte Isola official website Awarded "EDEN - European Destinations of Excellence" non traditional tourist destination 2010