Brissago Islands
Ticino
The Brissago Islands consist of two islands in the Swiss part of Lake Maggiore near Ronco sopra Ascona and Brissago in Ticino canton. The larger island, San Pancrazio, is renowned for its botanical garden featuring a wide variety of subtropical plants thriving in the islands' mild climate. The smaller island, Sant'Apollinare, is largely left to natural vegetation. Historically, the islands have Roman origins and were a refuge for early Christians. In the 13th century, a monastery was built on San Pancrazio by the Humiliati order, with a church dedicated to Saint Pancrazio. In the late 19th century, the islands were purchased by Richard Fleming and his wife Antoinette Bayer, who developed the botanical garden and hosted notable artists and intellectuals such as painters Daniele Ranzoni and Giovanni Segantini, composer Ruggero Leoncavallo, poet Rainer Maria Rilke, and writer James Joyce. The islands later passed to Max Emden, who built a neoclassical villa and maintained the gardens. Today, the islands are publicly owned and serve as a botanical garden and cultural site, offering visitors a unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance.
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Astuce: The best time to visit the Brissago Islands is during the warmer months when the botanical garden is in full bloom and the mild climate is most enjoyable. Visitors are advised to purchase tickets in advance, especially during peak tourist season, to ensure boat transfer availability from Porto Ronco. Discounts may be available for seniors, students, and groups. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for exploring the gardens and natural areas. Guided tours offer deeper insights into the islands' history and flora.
Faits intéressants
- •The Brissago Islands have the warmest climate in Switzerland, allowing subtropical plants to thrive.
- •Antoinette Bayer, who developed the botanical garden, is believed to have been an illegitimate daughter of Tsar Alexander II of Russia.
- •Famous visitors to the islands include the writer James Joyce, who stayed there in 1919 while working on his novel Ulysses.
- •Max Emden, a German department store magnate, built a 24-room neoclassical villa with a Roman-style bathing pool on the islands.
- •The islands are the farthest from the Swiss shore in Lake Maggiore, at over 1,000 meters distance.
Histoire
Roman remains found on San Pancrazio indicate ancient settlement.
In the 13th century, the Humiliati order established a monastery and church on the island, which was abandoned after the order's suppression in 1571.
The islands remained uninhabited until 1885 when Richard Fleming and his wife Antoinette Bayer purchased them, transforming the convent into a residence and creating a botanical garden.
After financial difficulties, the islands were sold in 1926 to Max Emden, who constructed a neoclassical villa and maintained the gardens.
Post World War II, the islands were sold to the Canton of Ticino and local municipalities, becoming a public botanical garden and cultural site.
Guide du lieu
San Pancrazio Botanical Garden
The larger island's botanical garden features exotic subtropical plants brought from around the world, thriving due to the islands' unique mild climate. It includes palm groves, rare flowers, and landscaped paths inviting visitors to explore diverse flora.
Villa Emden1926-1927
Built in the late 1920s by Max Emden, this neoclassical villa replaced the old convent and features 24 rooms, a conservatory, and a Roman-style bathing pool. The villa served as a residence and a cultural hub during Emden's ownership.
Isolino di Sant'ApollinareMedieval period
The smaller island is largely left in its natural state, allowing native vegetation to flourish without human intervention. It features the Romanesque Church of Sant'Apollinare, a historical religious site dating back to the Middle Ages.