Monte Isola
Monte Isola is a picturesque island in Lake Iseo, Lombardy.
Cities
On the island there are many small villages:
- Siviano — the main village where there is the townhall;
- Peschiera Maraglio — the most touristic village, by the lake side;
- Carzano — by the lake side, every 5 years the village is decorated with thousands of paper flowers.
Other destinations
Understand
Monte Isola is the highest European lake island and the largest Italian one.
Monte Isola has a population of approximately 1800 people spread over eleven villages and hamlets. There are several churches built between the 15th and the 17th century with frescoes, statues, altars in vernacular art.
Get in
By boat
The only way to reach Monte Isola is using a ferry boat.
Navigazione Lago d'Iseo's routes link almost all Lake Iseo's towns (the main one is Iseo) with Monte Isola's harbours: Peschiera Maraglio, the main one, Sensole, Carzano and Siviano Porto.
A non-stop service Sulzano-Peschiera Maraglio and Sale Marasino-Carzano is also available. During the night the frequency of ferry boats is lower.
By plane
The nearest airport is:
- 🌍 Bergamo-Orio al Serio international airport (Il Caravaggio international Airport BGY IATA), Via Aeroporto 13, Orio al Serio (From Orio al Serio you have to take a coach (autostradale) to Brescia, then the train or a Bus to Iseo, Sulzano or Sale Marasino where is possible to take a ferry boat. Probably the faster way to reach Monte Isola from Orio al Serio is taking a taxi.), ☎ +39 035 326323. The fourth busiest airport in Italy, it serves many destinations in Europe and North Africa. Its main airline is Ryanair; other companies are Wizzair, with flights to the Central-East Europe and Air Dolomiti, which connects the airport with Munich.
Other airports in the surrounding area are:
Get around
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 15 km (9 mi) allows a complete tour of Monte Isola.
Tourists can also take a public bus (timetables ).
See
- 🌍 Rocca Martinengo, Menzino. Former Castello Oldofredi, it was built to protect the westertn side of Iseo Lake. The castle is situated above the Sesole Gulf, between Peschiera and Menzino. In 1427 the Republic of Venice conquired also the weastern side of the lake and the defensive function of the castle was not more necessary. The building was so converted into a Palace.
All the villages on the island have got a church, some of them are very particular, others are very small or closed to the public.
- 🌍 Chiesa Parrocchiale dei SS. Faustino e Giovita, Siviano. Built between 1740 and 1754, its clock tower is visible for miles. In the interior there are many beautiful frescos.
- 🌍 Chiesa Parrocchiale di S. Michele, Peschiera.
- 🌍 Chiesa Parrocchiale di S. Giovanni Battista, Carzano. Built in the second half of 18th century, it is dedicated to John the Baptist, fishermen protector. In the church there are many relics and the main one is probably the Holy Cross.
- 🌍 Santuario della Madonna della Ceriola, Above Cure. Built in the 13th Century it is situated on the higest part of the island, at 600 m above sea level. From the Sanctuary you will be able to admire the entire lake, from Sarnico to Pisogne and Lovere.
Do
- 🌍 Walk on water (The Floating Piers). from 18th June to 3rd July 2016. Christo, a famous artist will build "Floating Piers" on Lake Iseo. During these you will literally be able to walk on water, but remember to do it without shoes, as the artist required. The installation will connect the main island, Monte Isola, in the middle of the lake with Sulzano, a village by the lake, passing around Isola di San Paolo, another smaller island. Christo and his dead wife Jeanne Claude originaly developed this project for Rio de la Plata Buenos Aires, but local authorities didn't get them the authorization. The installation is composed by around 3 km of floating piers covered by an orange fabric. To reach The Floating Pears you can take a train to Sulzano from Brescia or Iseo or a ferry boat to Sensole or Sulzano from Pisogne, Iseo or Sarnico. free.
Eat
Between Sensole and Peschiera Maraglio and in Carzano there are many restaurants. In those restaurant you can eat dealicuos dishes made with fresh water fishes.
An other traditional product is "Salame di Monte Isola", a salami.
Drink
Stay safe
Go next
- Iseo — This picture-perfect Italian town, sandwiched between the imposing Rhaetian Alps and crystal-blue waters of Lake Iseo, boasts an extraordinarly well-preserved medieval castle.