Monte Isola

Monte Isola
Comune
Comune di Monte Isola

Monte Isola

Coat of arms

Monte Isola within Lake Iseo
Monte Isola

Location of Monte Isola in Italy

Coordinates: 45°43′N 10°05′E / 45.717°N 10.083°E / 45.717; 10.083
Country Italy
Region Lombardy
Province / Metropolitan city Brescia (BS)
Frazioni Corzano, Cure, Masse, Menzino, Novale, Olzano, Peschiera Maraglio, Porto di Siviano, Sensole, Senzano, Sinchignano, Siviano
Government
 • Mayor Fiorello Turla
Area
 • Total 12.8 km2 (4.9 sq mi)
Elevation 275 m (902 ft)
Population (2015)
 • Total 1,770
 • Density 140/km2 (360/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Montisolani
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 25050
Dialing code 030
Patron saint Sts. Faustino and Jovita
Saint day 15 February
Website Official website

Monte Isola (also spelled Montisola) is a town and comune in the province of Brescia, in Lombardy.

It is located on an island of the same name in Lake Iseo and, as of 2015, its population is of 1,770.[1] Monte Isola's population is approximately 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.

Geography

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.

History

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)[2] 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.

Main sights

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.

Transportation

Monte Isola can be reached through a network of ferry connection with regular schedules.[3]

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.

Photogallery

References

  1. ↑ (Italian) Source: Istat 2015
  2. ↑ (Italian) Town hall address on municipal website
  3. ↑ "Orari traghetti Montisola". Navigazione Lago d'Iseo (in Italian). Retrieved 6 May 2015.

Media related to Monte Isola at Wikimedia Commons

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