Monte Isola

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. 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.

Monte Isola includes 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.

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)[5] merged in 1929 to create the actual comune.

In June and early July, 2016, Monte Isola was the site of The Floating Piers by artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude.

The single-nave church of San 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.

Monte Isola can be reached through a network of ferry connection with regular schedules.[6]

Driving restrictions are currently enforced, with mopeds and bicycles only allowed on the island. An extensive grid of dedicated bike lanes and hiking trails span all over the island, reaching the peaceful fishing villages with lakeside cafés and the Madonna della Ceriola chapel, nested near the summit of the island. A circular trail of almost 9 km (6 mi) allows a complete tour of Monte Isola.

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  Aerial view of Monte Isola (both Montisola island, Loreto isle and San Paolo isle) and part of the Brescia shore of the Iseo lake in winter
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  View of Siviano
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  Southern view of Lake Iseo, with Peschiera Maraglio and Sulzano
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  The shrine of Madonna della Ceriola in the highest point of the island
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  The fortress of Monte Isola
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  The streets of Monte Isola decorated with flowers during the Holy Cross week in September
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  View of the port in Peschiera Maraglio
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  View from Montisola of The Floating Piers and the San Paolo isle in the middle, Gallinarga (Tavernola Bergamasca, province of Bergamo) in the left side of the background, and Clusane (Iseo, BS) in the right side of the background, 2016

Media related to Monte Isola at Wikimedia Commons

• (in Italian) Monte Isola official website
• Awarded "EDEN - European Destinations of Excellence" non traditional tourist destination 2010
• (in Italian) Website of the Santa Croce di Carzano festival