Countries. Lake Iseo, rest in the Alpine foothills
Castle on the island of Loreto July 16th, 2012
Recently, we have already read about everyone who wants to. And here is another beautiful property.
Loreto - small private island and a castle on Lake Iseo in Northern Italy. At the end of the 5th century, a monastery was built here, which existed for several centuries, and, finally, was abandoned in the 16th century. During a visit to the island by Cardinal Carlo Borromeo in 1580, a hermit named Peter lived here.
At the end of the 19th century, the historian Gabriel Rosa mentioned the presence of ruins on the island of Loreto ancient fortress with two towers and a chapel.
Having changed several owners, the island went to the captain of the Royal Navy Vincenzo Riccieri at the beginning of the 20th century, who in 1910 built a neo-Gothic castle and a pier with two small lighthouses here.
At the end of the 5th century, a small monastery was built on the island. In 1580, Cardinal Charles Borromeo visited the island of Loreto, on the island they discovered a hermit named Peter who lived there.
At the end of the 15th century it was the property of the Suore di S. Chiara (Nuns of the Monastery of Saint Chiara), in the 16th century it was abandoned.
At the end 19th century historian Gabriel Rosa wrote about the presence on the island of Loreto of the ruins of an ancient fortress with a chapel and two towers.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the island fell to the captain of the Royal Navy, Vincenzo Riccieri, who in 1910 built a neo-Gothic castle and a pier with two small lighthouses here. Coniferous trees were planted around the castle and a magnificent park was created around the castle.
The picturesque shores of Lake Iseo complement the mysterious beauty of the castle on the island of Loreto.
Lake Iseo is the pearl of the Alpine foothills. Lake Iseo is located in the foothills of the Alps in Lombardy.
The surface area of Lake Iseo is 65.3 km, the height above sea level is 186 m, the length reaches 25 km, the width is 5 km, maximum depth 251 m average depth 124 m. The lake fills the terminal basin of an ancient glacier and has steep rocky shores.
Rocky shores give picturesqueness to the reservoir, which has a curved shape.
The Olio River, a left tributary of the Po River, flows through Lake Iseo. On south coast Lake Iseo is the city of Iseo.
On the southern shore of the lake is the town of the same name Iseo. In the middle of the lake is the largest natural lake island in Europe (mountain island) Monte Isola, popular with hang gliders. The largest settlement on the lake is Iseo. This city is located on the south shore, opposite it stands Predore On the western end of the lake, on the two banks of the river Ollio flowing from it, are Paratico and Sarnico On the west shore are Tavernola Bergamasca and Riva di Solto, on the north - Lovere and Pisogne, on the east - Marone , Sale Marasino and Sulzano.
In the middle of the lake is the largest natural lake island, Monte Isola. The city of Monte Isola is located at an altitude of about 600 m above sea level. Below it is the sanctuary of the Madonna della Seriola. The western part of Monte Isola is a gentle slope, where gardens and olive groves grow, while the eastern part is known for steep rocky coasts, which are chosen by hang gliders.
On the western shore of Lake Iseo there are beaches and areas with sheer cliffs. Only occasionally in these places you can see vineyards and olive trees.
On the north coast, near the commune of Pisogne, the Val Camonica valley originates.
In the middle of the lake is the mountainous island of Monte Isola, whose area is 12.8 km². It is considered the largest and highest lake island in Europe. North of Monte Isola is located small island Loreto, to the south - San Paolo. Both are privately owned.
Lake Iseo is famous for beautiful landscapes. Its eastern coast is covered with orchards, vineyards, olive groves. Near the town of Kovelo there are caves and a wall used for sport climbing. Sala Marasino has preserved 16th-century palazzos. and old churches.
Lake Iseo is one of the favorite holiday destinations for Italians - quiet city streets, sandy beaches surrounding the water surface Mountain peaks have undeniable charm.
Every year, tourists arrive with an excursion to the amazing beautiful lake, be sure to check romantic island the island of Loreto.
The tourist season lasts from May to September. Numerous events are held: sailing regattas, concerts and performances. Various sports are cultivated. Including sailing, diving and fishing. The lake is home to trout and pike.
Olive oil is produced on the shores of the lake.
", part 3). The road of the route along big lakes Italy is laid from Lago Maggiore through Como, then through Brescia to Iseo and finally to Lake Garda.
Lake Iseo (also called Sebino) is also located in northern Italy, in the province of Bergamo (Lombardy), surrounded by the foothills of the Lombard Southern Alps and the beautiful plain of the Po River. The Ollio River (Italian: Oglio), the left tributary of the Po, is the mother of Iseo, and it is her waters that form the lake. In the very center of Iseo there is the largest island in Europe on the lake - Monte Isola, a little further - the mini-islands of San Paolo and Loreto. You need a boat to see them.
The shape of the reservoir resembles the letter S. Its width is about 5 km, the water temperature in summer is within 21 ° C-23 ° C, in winter + 10 + 14 C. Several picturesque villages have gathered around the natural reservoir, each of which boasts something then unusual.
Interesting places and sights of Lake Iseo
1. Tavernola Bergamasca (it. Tavernola Bergamasca) - here in the church of San Pietro (it. la chiesadi San Pietro) the frescoes of the artist Romanino, created by him in 1510-1515, are carefully preserved.
2. Predore (it. Predore), a village on the western shore of Lake Iseo - you need to visit the church of San Giorgio (la chiesetta di San Giorgio) and climb a steep slope in the old part of the village, where the chapel of the Snow Madonna (it. Santuario della Madonna) is located della Neve), date of construction - the beginning of the 15th century.
3. Sarnico (it. Sarnico) - a recognized water resort on the lake with beautiful Art Nouveau guest villas, with an elegant promenade and magnificent art gallery modern self-taught artist Gianni Bellini (it. Gianni Bellini). Worth a look medieval tower and the fortress of Rocca de Zucchellis, the remains of the castle of Castione Marenzi, including watchtowers (built in the 13th century). One of these towers is currently used as a bell tower in the local church of St. Paul. The church of Saints Nazario and Rocco functions on the territory of the castle, it was built in the Romanesque style in the thirteenth century, another historical value of Sarnico is the church of Saint Martin, which was built in the fifteenth century and reconstructed in the eighteenth. In it you will find a beautiful wooden altar designed by Andrea Fantoni.
In Sarnico, there is a railway, the Paratico-Sarnico station (It. Paratico-Sarnico), it is located on the opposite bank of the Ollo River and is final destination tourist railway Palazzolo-Paratico (it. Palazzolo-Paratico), which originates in Brescia. The antique railway line and its transport serve seasonal tourist routes introducing Lombardy and the foothills of the Alps (known as Railway Basso Sebino).
Villas Sarnico: 
- villa Pietro Faccanoni (it. villa Pietro Faccanoni), modern name- Villa Passeri (it. villa Passeri)
- villa Luigi Faccanoni (it. villa Luigi Faccanoni), modern name - Villa Surre (it. villa Surre)
- Villa Giuseppe Faccanoni (it. villa Giuseppe Faccanoni)
4. Valcalepio Valley - definitely worth a visit to taste the fine local sparkling wine Bellavista Franciacorta (Bellavista Franciacorta) and see the castles of Castelli Calepio. To get to know them, you need to hire a guide and take a walking tour (about 2 hours). The start of the route is at the Castel de Conti castle, the village of Castelli Calepio, then move along the road connecting the villages of Sarnico and Bergamo. Romanesque castles of the valley:
- Castello di Tagliuno - now privately owned
- Castello dei conti Calepio
5. Solto Collina (Italian: Solto Collina) - according to historical data, the village was founded in the 11th century. Its ancient historical center with narrow stone streets has been perfectly preserved. Today, the old parish church of the 15th century, Santa Maria Assunta (it. Santa Maria Assunta), decorated with frescoes by famous artists.
In the vicinity of the village there is a natural park-reserve Valle del Freddo (it. Valle del Fredo - cold valley), where you can even find rare edelweiss. Alpine flora has taken root in the surroundings alpine lake Iseo, because due to the special geological structure of the Valcalepio valley, warm air currents come out of the ground, warming the valley in the cold season, creating a special microclimate. In summer, cool air comes into the valley from the same channels, giving a pleasant coolness on hot days.
6. Monte Isola (it. Monte Isola), a village on an island in the middle of the lake, under the same name. Its decoration is the church of the Madonna del Seriola (Santuario Madonna della ceriola), built in 1500 on the remains of an 11th-century chapel. Inside, gilded wall frescoes of the 16th century have been preserved. Climbing to the top of the hill on which the shrine is located, you will see a beautiful natural panorama of Lake Iseo.
In the village, try dried local delicacies - herring and salami. Windy weather and clean air contribute to the highest quality of these products.
7. Brescia (it. Brescia), administrative center provinces - must see archaeological zone, which includes the Roman forum and the monastery of San Salvatore Santa Giulia (exposition, including the historical period of the Lombards, 568 - 774 AD), part world heritage UNESCO.
In Brescia, check out Osteria Il Volto, an old restaurant where you can sit with a glass of excellent local wine (address: Via Mirolte, 33, 25049 Iseo BS, Italy, tel. +39 030 981 462).
The best activities on Lake Iseo are windsurfing, canoeing, water skiing, mountain biking, exploring the towns on the lake (ferries run regularly between them). Passo Tonale ski slopes are waiting for tourists in an hour's drive by car.
Having finished our acquaintance with the panoramas of Lake Iseo, we propose to go further, to the hills of Lake Garda and settle in one of the country residences on its shore...
Having finally visited the Cote d'Azur, we decided to visit another corner of Europe that has long attracted us. In the north of Italy (mainly in the province of Lombardy) there is a region of mountain lakes - the land is absolutely magical, especially in the warm season. Having for everything about everything for two days, we could afford to see only one of them. My choice fell on Lake Iseo, because it is much smaller than Como, Garda, and especially Maggiore (and therefore more chances see it in its entirety), less favored by tourists, and what is important - it is closer than the others to Bergamo, from where we had to fly to Tallinn.
Leaving Sanremo around 4 pm, we got stuck in a traffic jam on a toll highway under the town with the pompous name of Imperia, lost a lot of time, and arrived at the hotel already in the dark. Thank God, they were still waiting for us at the reception (thanks to booking.com for a competent printout of the reservation with the correct phone number, thanks to which we were able to warn that we would arrive very late).
Our hotel was located in the village of Riva di Solto, and the booking of a room in it was largely influenced by the reviews on booking.com and TripAdvisor, which promised silence and great views.
1. We arrived at 11 pm (the road to the hotel turned out to be wonderfully marked) and fit into the room. This is what was seen from the window:
A cheerful bartender with the appearance of a German burgher poured us a glass of red, and we enjoyed the evening coolness from the balcony, from which the lights of the village, as well as villages on the other side of the lake, were beautifully visible.
2. And in the morning they inevitably woke up and they began to have photographic rabies ...
3. As the sun rose, it illuminated the lake valley with new and new colors.
4. The combination of mountains and water furiously attracted our inner explorers to immediately drop everything and rush to look around.
5. But of course, it was necessary to reinforce the forces before the road. The view from the restaurant windows distracted from the breakfast.
6. In the end, we armed ourselves with cameras, maps and information materials, clipped at the hotel, and went to explore.
7. Our Ypsilon had to ride us around the whole lake.
8. The hotel can be seen from afar. We got a room with almost the best view. Our balcony is to the right of the double chrome pipe. Two windows of the room overlooked the lake (well, you already understood this from the photos above)
9. Vegetation immediately began to please us - in this blessed place both northern trees (apple, oak) and southern (olive, fig) grow and bear fruit next to each other
10. First of all, we went down to the shore of the lake in our own village.
11. There was more less people than the day before in Sanremo.
12. Along the coastal promenade come across proud villas with fenced gardens like this:
13. Calm warm water invited into her arms, but we decided to leave this pleasure for a hotter time of day.
14. Fearless birds swim here.
15. If each of us has our own little artemiylebedev, then mine woke up at the sight of a telephone booth:
16. The people on the pier either knew the timetable of the steamboat, or simply had a good time.
17. In Riva di Solto there is something like a historical center. It can be seen that the village is many, many years old.
18. Here is the pier. The steamboat was supposed to be there soon, but we decided to first go around the lake - to those places from where we can get to the island of Isola more often and faster (the largest lake island in Europe!)
19. Sundials are often found on well-maintained old buildings.
20. If you turn into some little doorway, you can get into a small tiled courtyard ...
21. ... from which there will be a wonderful view of the lake.
22. Unlike the sundial in Tallinn Kadriorg, this clock shows the time more or less like the truth.
23. From Riva di Solto we drove clockwise along the coast. Black Upsilon heated up furiously in the sun, so the air conditioner worked furiously in it. In general, Lancia is so... Italian :) The circles on the dashboard were automatically illuminated by a stylish rim at the entrance to the tunnel.
24. At the entrances to the village of Castro. There is nothing reminiscent of a Cuban commander here, but cheerful and relaxed people ride boats. locals.
25. At a beautiful bend in the road, we stopped to take a picture. Here, in the shade of the trees, there was a water pump and a monument to some important local book.
26. Following Castro, the path led us to the town of Lovere. In some places it breathes not with old age, but with antiquity.
27. The atmosphere of general relaxation also took possession of me. Sitting next to the bakery, I read a pamphlet about lakeside towns.
28. Among the narrow streets there was an even narrower passage leading to the lake. We didn't follow it...
29. ...because it was necessary to once again be convinced of the greatness of Italian coffee! Next to the cups is a guidebook around the lake, handed out free of charge in tourist places.
30. If you look to the north, then sometimes snow is visible under the clouds lying on the mountain tops. Even in hot August. For the Alps. There was a little bit of snow in this photo.
31. After Lovere, it was Pisogne's turn. By this time, we had already attended to the search for lunch, so as not to get screwed like in Sanremo the day before. Pisogne was also not crowded - in search of an attractive eatery, we walked through the entire center of the village.
32. And again they saw towers with sundial. These truths were purely for the entourage, because the entire fresco with indications for reading the time was somewhat tumbled.
33. Not finding a noisy place filled with people, we decided to go to the shore - so if someone is in this village, then - there!
34. A railway also runs along the coast. Then, sitting in a cafe, we saw a train actually moving along these rails.
35. There really was a cafe on the very shore, in which there were visitors. The view is quite handshake - flowers, water, sun, boats.
36. Water, sun, boats, flowers.
37. Bruschetta with champignons
38. And again water, boats, flowers, sun. The girl stubbornly tried to raise the sail on the board, although there was no smell of wind. Maybe it's just her gymnastics.
After lunch, we decided to go to Isola Island from one of the marinas east coast. The timetable received at the hotel said that the steamboat left Sulzano almost every hour. The port of Sulzano is very easy to find, not easy to part with 4 euros for every hour of parking next to the marina. Having driven into the parking lot twenty meters higher up the slope, you can leave already at 2.50.
39. The ship was in a fairly decent condition.
40. The trip lasted no more than 5 minutes. Gradually, the pier of Peschiera Maraglio, one of the villages of the island, grew into view.
41. Due to isolated geographical location, the villages of the island are more like old fishing villages than those that are on the "mainland".
42. I suspect that every inhabitant of the island has a boat, so striped poles stick out of the water along the entire coast, to which this vehicle is tied.
43. Frightened ducks with ducklings swam imposingly between the pillars, fearless gulls flew. The boats rocked calmly, rare tourists went from shops to restaurants and back.
44. An interesting design - a net is hung over the head of those walking along the promenade, in which colorful fish are entangled ...
45. Between the old houses here and there the obligatory Mediterranean countries bougainvillea.
46. Half a kingdom for a motorboat horse!
47. Mimimi
48. Climbing a little up the hillside outside the village, you can pick up a couple of handfuls of blackberries!
49. Cars are not allowed to drive around the island (an exception is made for firefighters and a priest), so cyclists calmly drive along good paved roads.
50. The island is a fairly regular shape. Having passed along the west coast to Carzano, we realized that we would not be able to go around the perimeter of the island before the planned ferry departed.
51. Therefore, we decided to swim in Carzano, from where you can see the (private!) island of Loreto, where you can see something like a castle from afar. People live!
52. Here is Loreto as close as possible to our weak lenses.
53. Water smells like boats - but most importantly - refreshing!
After taking a swim and returning to the center of Carzano, we found out quite by accident that in just five minutes scheduled bus! That's luck! The stern driver took euros from us, but did not let us into the salon until we put on our shirts. The roads on the island are breathtaking. Not only are they not designed to pass each other - the roads are so narrow that the bus does not even have side mirrors. I don't know how a driver manages to drive through these streets. The windows do not open, so that passengers do not have their heads or hands blown off if they decide to stick them out on the go.
54. The wall is dangerously close.
55. View from the rear window. Gives an idea of what landscapes open daily to the residents of the surrounding houses.
56. Without much adventure, we returned to big land and having made a full circle around the lake, we returned to the hotel for dinner. The already familiar view from the window of the room played with new, sunset colors.
Without further ado, we decided to get acquainted with the local regional cuisine in the hotel restaurant. Two surprises awaited me there - a Ukrainian waitress and menu cards tailored for visitors of different genders. The girls are given a menu with no prices. So that beautiful ladies do not deny themselves anything :)
57. Lena is watching to see if I can order wine and water.
59. It's funny, but it was more difficult to choose water than wine. The choice of the latter was left to the discretion of the waiter, and the water in Italy is very tasty, and it was difficult to choose.
60. Of course, the most satisfied Jonik is observed in the photographs where he is next to the food.
61. The next morning we had only to check out and go to Bergamo. Before leaving the hotel, we went for a dip in the pool. It was short, but in a deep place it reached three meters. If anything, I recommend the hotel. Out of season, it costs human money (it cost us twice as much in August than if we arrived in September).
62. Lake Iseo will remain one of the strongest impressions of 2011.
Now, when Moscow is slushy and gray, it's time to return to sunny Italy, even if just for a moment 🙂 Namely, to the region of Lombardy, where Bigpiccha visited in the fall and took part in the project Blogville 2014. I told you everything about Milan :), now the story will be about the island of Monte Isola on Lake Iseo.
To get to the lake, you need to take the train Milan - Venice. Oh, what a temptation it was to get to the final station :), but, following the original route, I was rewarded, because reality exceeded expectations. So, we leave in the city of Brescia, take a regional train to the city of Iseo, then on a boat - and we are on the island of Monte Isola.
(Total 56 photos)
1. Lake Iseo (Lago di Iseo) - the smallest of the four "great" lakes of Lombardy. It is believed that it is the most "Italian" of them, since mostly Italians come and rest on it. Located between the provinces of Bergamo and Brescia. The area of the reservoir is 63 sq. km, but most deep place reaches the mark of 251 meters. There are three islands on the lake: Monte Isola, Loreto and Sao Paolo.
2. The small island of Sao Paolo has ancient history. In the 11th century, a monastery was founded here, which lasted 100 years. Then the island was leased to fishermen. In the 15th century, the lake began to be actively used by the Fenaroli family, the owners of these lands. In 1490, the island was handed over to the Franciscan monks and a church was built there. A terrible story also belongs to those years, when someone killed 9 out of 13 monks. In 1783, the remaining 14 novices moved to Iseo, and the island itself was sold to private owners. The current owners of San Paolo are the Beretta family, who built a cottage here according to the project of the architect Dabbeni.
3. Monte Isola - the largest and highest lake inhabited island in Europe.
6. You can get from the island to the city of Iseo or the nearest villages of Sulsano or Marone by ferry or by boat. The main transport hub of the island is the village of Peschiera Maraglio.
7. As the guide told us, transport connection between the island and the mainland is very well organized and allows the "islanders" to work in other cities and study at higher educational institutions without changing their place of residence.
8. The island is famous fish restaurants, and even in winter period here for local cuisine Italians often come with their families to have a nice weekend.
9. Windsurfing, sailing, rowing are common on the lake.
10. The atmosphere on the island is very relaxed. If, after Moscow, Milan seems to be a leisurely city, then time has simply stopped on Monte Isola.
12. As soon as we left the embankment, people stopped meeting at all.
14. Postman, it means that there is still someone alive here 🙂
17. Church of the Archangel Michael. It was built back in 1648.
18. Open and completely empty.
19. While we were photographing the decoration of the church, someone came to pray, so we quietly left.
24. Local delicacies: four types of fish (all from the lake) and three types of meat. And that's just an appetizer! Photos of the rest culinary delights I will not show, so as not to be considered a glutton 🙂
26. On the boat we go to another part of the island.
27. The mountain divides Monte Isola into two halves. The southeastern slope is steeper and more wooded, West Side the islands are more gentle.
29. A whole army of parents lined up on the pier, meeting their children from school from the mainland.
30. La Masna dell'Isola oil mill.
31. We really hoped to see the process of making butter. Moreover, all production takes up a small room.
32. But this summer was very rainy in Italy, the olives did not ripen on time, and the harvest was postponed for a month, to October.
33. I had to be content with the story of the owner of the oil mill.
35. Since it is forbidden to use a car on the island, we walked right along the roadway.
36. Fishing for local residents is both work and leisure.
37. The houses look like uninhabited - the shutters are closed, the doors are locked - although this is actually not the case.
38. Two Snow Whites and seven dwarfs 🙂
41. Loreto Island. It is known that a monastery was built on the island at the end of the 5th century, which, having existed for several centuries, was abandoned, and now only ruins remain of it. Later, the island changed hands, and at the beginning of the 20th century, it went to the captain of the Royal Navy, Vincenzo Riccieri, who built a neo-Gothic castle and a pier with two small lighthouses, and planted coniferous trees around. Currently, the island is privately owned and entry is prohibited, however, as well as on the island of Sao Paolo.
Lake Iseo is the smallest of the four "great" lakes in Lombardy. It is believed that it is the most “Italian” of them, since mainly Italians come and relax on it, and tourists rarely drop by.
The lake is located in northern Italy in the Lombard Prealps between more and more famous lake Garda and famous lake Como. Like them, it is a long and narrow lake protected by mountains. E th area - 65.3 square kilometers, maximum depth - 251 meters.
Lake Isea is famous for the fact that it is in its waters that the highest inhabited island in Europe is located, its highest point located at an altitude of 600 meters above sea level. It was called Monte Isola, which in Italian means Mountain Island. There are also two small islands that make Lake Iseo unique: Loreto Island and San Paolo Island.
The lake fills the terminal basin of an ancient glacier and has steep rocky shores. The Olio River, a left tributary of the Po River, flows through Lake Iseo. The area of this lake, winding, flowing among steep mountains and hills, is called Sebino and one of its edges enters the province of Bergamo, and the other - the province of Brescia. At the entrance to this valley, traces of the ancient Kamun civilization were found at one time. These excavations are now included in the list of treasures of mankind, protected by UNESCO.
Its shores are high, the landscape is remarkably uniform. Large settlements located along the banks at opposite ends of the lake: Sarnico. Lovere. Iseo and Pisogne - famous for the beauty of their historical centers. All of them are worth a visit, you can get there both by land and by the waters of the lake. Coasts adjoining Brescia. easily accessible from the major highway leading from the Franciacorta area to Iseo and Pisogne.
Traditional hospitality and modern tourism are characteristic of the small villages that dot the coast around Lake Iseo. But we must also not forget that it is one of the major centers youth entertainment: swimming pools, windsurfing, sailing, rowing. In addition, this area is located among natural and historical wealth, where there are excellent opportunities to make excursions among the hills and vineyards of Franciacorta, known, by the way, for its quality sparkling wines, and towards the mountains of Valle Camonica.
Travelers pass by such famous treasures of architecture as natural wonders such as the natural pyramids of earth that rise near Zone. The coast adjacent to the province of Bergamo, on the other hand, is famous for the winding roads that run through the steep highlands, by air easy ways. They lead from the historical Lovere (Villa Milesi, Palazzo Tadini and the Church of St. Martino, etc.) to a panoramic view from the mountains of Tavernola and to the almost seaside atmosphere of the port of Sarnico. This village has been known since 862, when it was called "Sarnega". This place is still famous for its shipbuilding industry.
ATTRACTIONS
The main attraction on Lake Iseo is a cruise around the 3 islands.
Most of the season is held only on Sundays (every day from 10 to 24 August). And Monte Isola (mountain-island) - the largest and highest lake island in Europe - and its two tiny satellites Isola Loreto and Isola San Paolo - this is the main attraction of Lake Iseo. The excursion boat departs from the city of Iseo 3 times a day and returns there after 1.5 hours, the cost is 6 euros. 
(its name means "mountain-island") becomes visible as soon as you leave the harbor of Iseo. In fact, the island, frankly, is too big for this, not the most big lake like Iseo. Approaching the island on a boat, it seems that the mountain suddenly grows, and towering right towards you. And it is not surprising that she holds the title of the highest lake island in Europe and the largest lake island in Italy.
The area of Monte Isola is 12.8 square kilometers, and 1700 people live here. Outwardly, Monte Isola appears big mountain that grew straight out of the water. You can get here by ferry or boat from Iseo, or from the much closer villages of Sulzano or Marone. 
The mountain divides Monte Isola into two halves. The southeastern slope is steeper and more wooded, while the western part of the island is more gentle. There are many houses with terraces and chestnut groves, and the locals have been growing olives and grapes here for a long time. At the very top of the mountain is the main local attraction - the chapel of the Madonna della Cheriola. You have to get there on foot. There is no car traffic on the island, only municipal buses with 30 seats run between the villages. But in the villages you can rent a bike.
For tourists, the administration of the municipality offers three excursion routes around the island at once.
The history of the temple of the Madonna della Cheriola dates back to the middle of the 5th century. Then the bishop of Brescia brought the Christian faith to these lands, replacing it with the worship of the pagan goddess Isis. It was her name that was transformed into the name of the lake.
The bishop decided to build a small chapel on the top of the island, which would symbolize the cleansing of superstitions and the transition to a new, pure faith. In 1580, Cardinal Carlo Borromeo from Milan also visited. He discovered that the church was in a very deplorable state and ordered it to be restored. A new sanctuary was built, wrought iron gates, a vault instead of the old gable roof. There were also two side chapels. So the chapel of the Madonna della Cheriola acquired its current shape. In the next century, it was further improved. And in the XVIII century the chapel received a bell tower. Today the sanctuary is 23 meters long and 7.5 meters wide. The main altar is made of black and white marble and has a monumental wooden frame made in the 15th century.
The temple is actively used today, people here not only pray and repent, but also make vows. There is a well-known story that in 1863 cholera raged in Lombardy. The faithful inhabitants of Monte Isola gathered in the chapel and asked the Madonna to stop the epidemic. Since that day, the wave of diseases on the island has subsided and soon passed. Thus, the legend of the holiness of this place was born.
The local villages are also very colorful. The main transport hub of the island is Peschiera Maraglio, from here the road leads to the western, more populated part of the island. There is also something to see. In Cincignano there are several villas that have preserved elements of decoration from the 15th-16th centuries, the fortress in Menzino belongs to the same period. After restoration, the tower turned into an elegant private house. In the same village, you should pay attention to the church of St. Michael. It was built on the ruins of its predecessor in 1648. Next to it is the castle of Aldofredi, which is now private property. This palace was built in the Renaissance style. In Carzano there is the church of St. John the Baptist, built here in honor of the visit of Carlo Borromeo. In Massa there is a small but commemorative church of Saints Rocco and Pantaleone. It was built back in 1400 to commemorate the deliverance from the plague. Then they were small catacombs with a couple of small altars. Only after the visit of the same Borromeo, it was decided to build a church with a facade and a bell tower.
The well-known history of the island begins in 905, when the monks built houses on it, planted arable land and vineyards, and began to farm. Around 1300, the construction of the Monte Isola Martinegro fortress began here. In 1426, Lake Iseo, together with the islands, fell under the rule of the Venetian Republic, which would last until 1797. During this period, the inhabitants of the island managed to become famous for the production of fishing nets. It is believed that this art came here from the monks of the island of Sao Paolo. At first, fishermen wove willow branches, and then they began to use silk threads. For many years, the islanders even quarreled, because the rich had nets made of the best material, they were thrown farther and deprived the poor of the catch.
In 1922-1923, electricity was provided on Monte Isola - the island did not lag behind civilization.
The influence of Venice on Monte Isola showed itself in the form of local boats. They are shaped like the famous gondolas. They say that the islanders were taught to build them by a certain Arcetti, who fled here from the Venetian prison. The fast boat turned out to be very convenient for anglers, it can row for several kilometers without getting tired. Even today, Monte Isola has a couple of shipyards producing such vessels. They are made according to old traditions - with a hammer, chisel and axe. For the manufacture of a seven-meter boat, chestnut and larch are used.
The "mountain-island" of Monte Isola is not the only attraction of this lake.
Loreto Island(Isola di Loreto) is small and picturesque island, located on Lake Iseo, every year attracts many tourists and it is not strange that it has a long history and extraordinary beauty.
The island is located in the middle of Lake Iseo, on the southern shore of Lake Iseo is the city of Iseo of the same name, which existed for several centuries and then was abandoned in the 16th century, and now only ruins remain of it. When Cardinal Carlo Borromeo visited the island in 1580, there was only one person on it who chose this area, this is a hermit named Peter.
When the historian Gabriel Rosa explored the island of Loreto at the end of the 19th century, he found on it the ruins of an ancient fortress with two towers and a chapel. Later, the island passed from hand to hand, from one owner to another, and when at the beginning of the 20th century the island went to the captain of the Royal Navy Vincenzo Riccieri, in 1910 he built a neo-Gothic castle and a pier with two small lighthouses, and planted coniferous trees around it, which together with the castle and give the island of Loreto a beautiful and picturesque view.
Administratively, the island of Loreto belongs to the Siviano district of the municipality of Monte Isola in the province of Brescia. Rumor has it that it was almost bought by George Clooney, who already has a residence not far from here, but for some reason he eventually abandoned this idea, the routes of which often include viewing the island from the side, unfortunately, the island is located in a private property and entry there is prohibited, but even sailing on a boat around it you can see a lot, since the island is small and you can see everything in full view.
On the lake near this magnificent island there are competitions in sailing, and you can also go diving or fishing, trout and pike are found in the lake.
Sao Paulo Island.
This island also has an ancient history. Back in 1091, its owners, the Mozzi family from Lombardy, gave a small piece of land in the middle of the lake to the holy fathers, who founded the monastery there. However, times were hard and after a hundred years only ruins remained from the buildings. Then the island was leased to fishermen.
In the 15th century, the lake began to be actively used by the Fenaroli family, the owners of these lands. The island of Sao Paolo has become a kind of base for transport and military ships. In 1490, the island was handed over to the Franciscan monks and a church was built there. It was in it that Alessandro Fenaroli was buried in 1525. A terrible story also belongs to those years, when someone killed 9 out of 13 monks. The Fenaroli family oversaw the monastery until 1783. Then the remaining 14 novices moved to Iseo, and the island itself was sold to private owners. By that time, the monastery had become a kind of colony, where they sent disobedient, or even just criminals.
In the 19th century, the owners of the island, the Berardelli family, did not really know what to do with it. There were plans to build a factory here, to turn the monastery into a hospital, it was planned to build a hotel here and turn it into a brothel. There were even crazy ideas to demolish all the buildings on Sao Paolo altogether. The current owners of San Paolo are the Beretta family, who built a cottage here according to the project of the architect Dabbeni.
