Vitaliano VI Borromeo (1620-1690)

A man of multifaceted intellect dedicated his life to the Isola Bella.

His military and diplomatic efforts were secondary to his activities in Milanese cultural circles.

The Count, with his "multifaceted intellect" and constantly absorbed by his passion for philosophy and the arts, was a friend of the most important contemporary literati. He was later elected prince of the Accademia dei Faticosi, which aimed primarily at illustrating Aristotelian doctrine.

In 1650, he took over the direction of the works on Isola Bella (as a noble knight in love claimed, “the Island is my lady”).

Looking at Rome with great independence and autonomy, he took over the project, begun by his father Carlo III around 1630, to create a garden on the small island called Isola Isabella, in honor of his wife Isabella d’Adda. Vitaliano transformed this idea into a grand Baroque set piece.

From 1674, Vitaliano VI established a general plan to transform the house into a true palace with expansions carried out in successive phases: this is what can still be admired today, except for some later interventions, in its original conception.

The ambitious building project, ever-evolving, was supported by a strong desire for dynastic celebration, with heraldic references to the family culminating on the Island in the colossal statue of the Liocorno, “coat of arms of the Milanese Borromeos of noble descent.”

In his correspondence, preserved in the Borromeo Archive, are the letters written to the architects and craftsmen overseeing the work and especially the exchanges with his brother Giberto III, with whom he discussed the project and decorative choices, sometimes sketching his ideas in the margins of the letters. Under his direction, a small army of masons, sculptors, carpenters, painters, and architects worked continuously for about thirty years.

Over the centuries, the Palace has been enriched with new artistic contributions, but the Baroque core envisioned by Vitaliano VI can still be seen in many of the rooms, where the original decoration is present.

An enthusiastic collector, he created a true Wunderkammer full of rarities such as stones, marbles, and painted alabasters mostly with floral compositions, paintings of landscapes and perspectives, frames decorated with rock crystals, agates, and lapis lazuli. The Garden was also enriched with stone architecture covered in mosaic, statues, and fountains, creating real green theaters together with the hedges.

However, the Island was not only a personal paradise but also opened up to illustrious guests whom Vitaliano welcomed, offering a truly immersive experience in a place where nature still blends with art today. This is symbolized by the two statues that Vitaliano VI wanted atop the Teatro Massimo, linked by a golden chain to the Honor riding the Borromean unicorn.

To testify to the deep bond that Vitaliano always had with the Island, he expressly requested in his will that upon his death, his heart be placed in the small chapel of the Madonna located in the village of the Island.

Palazzo Borromeo

An enchanting journey through art and history accompanies visitors through over 20 rooms.

At the heart of Palazzo Borromeo, the Galleria Berthier is a mosaic of over 130 paintings including masterpieces and some copies of great masters from the past such as Raphael, Correggio, Titian, Guido Reni – a common practice in noble collections of the time.

Unique environments include the Sala del Trono, the Sala delle Regine, the Salone degli Arazzi, and the Grotte, designed to amaze guests by transporting them into a magical underwater world.

Baroque Italian Garden (Isola Bella)

Ten terraces that burst with a different color at each bloom

The garden of Isola Bella was built from 1631 to about 1671.

The Teatro Massimo is the most important monument in the Isola Bella garden. Statues, obelisks, and fountains perfectly integrate with the vegetation of the ten scenic terraces, topped by the statue of the Unicorn, the heraldic symbol of the Borromeo family.

Surrounding the Theater is a profusion of blooms and rare plants: the ancient Camphor tree, the Gunnera manicata – whose leaves can reach 2 meters in diameter, the highly fragrant Olea Fragrans, the rare Halesia Diptera with flowers that resemble snowflakes, Star Anise, and Mexican Pine.

During flowering, the Azalea Parterre is enchanting, and the Giardino d’Amore, composed of boxwood hedges that create a green embroidery visible from the top of the terraces, is a joy for the eyes.

Camellias, rose trellises in May, oleanders in June, and citrus fruits and panicled hydrangeas in midsummer light up the Italian garden of Isola Bella, where white peacocks live freely.

Since 2002, the gardens of Isola Bella, along with those of Isola Madre, have been part of the prestigious English circuit of the Royal Horticultural Society.

Season 2024

The opening of the 2024 season is scheduled from March 16 to November 3, 2024.

Isola Bella is open:

From March 16 to October 26, 2024

Every day from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry), closing of the Palace at 5:30 PM, closing of the gardens at 6:00 PM.

From October 27 to November 3, 2024

Every day from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (last entry), closing of the Palace at 4:30 PM, closing of the gardens at 5:00 PM.

Opening and closing times of the museums and gardens may vary for special events.

It is advisable to always check the website www.isoleborromee.it or contact the call center +39 0323.933478 for information on opening hours.