Holiday apartment in Isola Superiore: fishing culture and island traditions
Accommodation in Isola Superiore
Island history between museum and everyday culture
The Fishing Ecomuseum encompasses the entire area of Isola Superiore, also known as Isola dei Pescatori, and combines important outdoor sites and historic buildings into a sightseeing route. If you choose a holiday apartment in Isola Superiore, you will encounter several facets of the island: fishing, architecture, art and living traditions are presented at different points along this route.
A small fishing museum was established on the ground floor of Casa Ugo Ara in 2016. There, the fishing museum displays materials and objects donated by fishermen and other island residents. The Church of San Vittore is located at the highest point of the island ridge and complements the cultural impressions with a distinctive sacred site.
Art and special insights
Isola Superiore is also associated with the artist Andrea Ruffoni. He developed his own technique in which plastic materials are burned and melted on a metal grid. From 2016 onward, his house museum, studio and private garden were open to the public. This timeframe remains important for your planning if you are interested in the artistic side of the island.
The island’s connection to the Borromean Islands also shapes possible excursions. As part of a tour of the Borromean Islands, a passenger boat travels from Isola Bella to Isola dei Pescatori, or Isola Superiore, in five minutes. There, you can visit the characteristic village and have lunch at a typical restaurant. Restaurants and osterias on Isola dei Pescatori serve lake fish from Lake Maggiore, including perch, whitefish, pike-perch, Arctic char and bleak.
Island character and local traditions
Colourful former fishing nets on the houses, balconies, arcades and narrow streets of Isola Superiore are a reminder of a local tradition of fishing and hand repair. Within the Aree Protette del Ticino e del Lago Maggiore, Isola Superiore is described as “di transito”.
Special customs give the island year its own distinctive character. The Ferragosto tradition includes an auction of donations during the day after Mass. During Ferragosto week, a traditional bocce tournament takes place at the so-called “tail” of the island. On the eve of Epiphany, children walk through the island’s streets making noise with cans, tin cans and lids tied to strings to wake Befana, who is known there as carga vegia. During Carnival, a long table is set up along the shore, where island residents gather for polenta and wine.
Choosing a holiday apartment to suit your interests
When visiting, the Fishing Ecomuseum offers school classes themed tours and workshop experiences focusing on the island’s historical, environmental, artistic and anthropological themes. For planning your own trip, you can therefore consider whether you would like to focus on the museum and history, art, local cuisine, festivals or a combination of several interests. A holiday apartment or holiday house in Isola Superiore can be part of this consideration if you would like to organise your stay around the specific themes you want to discover on the island.
For the overarching travel overview: Stresa.
