This news just in from Trivago. it, the Italian Internet travel site, that Lago Maggiore's own La Rocca di Angera has been selected among the 10 most beautiful castles in Italy. That's wonderful news at the start of this tourist season, and very serendipitous timing, as I have just been sent a beautiful guest post and video slideshow about La Rocca from my friend and loyal reader Nora.

Rocca Borromeo

– guest post by Stresa Sight’s reader – Nora

In August 2009 I visited the magnificent Rocca Borromeo (also known as Rocca di Angera) with my husband and young daughter. It is just across the lake from Stresa. There is a local ferry that runs directly from Stresa to Angera but it is not a regular service. You can do what we did and take the car or train to Arona (just a 15 minute journey - 9k from Stresa). There is a frequent service of boats from Arona across the lake. When you arrive, stroll through the pretty town of Angera and hike a short distance through the lovely chestnut woods up to the Borromeo castle. I recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes!

Rocca Borromeo dominates the southern end of Lago Maggiore. It is a perfectly preserved 14th century medieval fortress atop a spur of limestone rock on the Quirico hill, 200m above the town of Angera. Under the Visconti family it was largely rebuilt. Since 1449 it has been the property of the Borromeo family. San Carlo Borromeo was born here.

In 1988 the Rocca Borromeo became home to the Doll Museum (Il Museo della Bambola e del Giocattolo). It consists of 12 rooms with over 200 years of doll’s history and is one of the largest of its kind in Europe. The collection includes over 1,000 dolls from all the countries of the world. It also contains toys, books, old photographs, miniature furniture, household accessories and board games. They are from the private collection of the Princess Bona Borromeo and include donations and constant acquisitions.

Little pianist, just one of the dolls in the incredible Doll Museum.

I was fascinated by the overwhelming number of dolls and was stunned by the level of detail in the miniature pieces and the fine embroidery in the costumes. The Doll Museum can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. I loved the beautiful old photographs of the princess with her dolls and toys. In one of them, the little Princess Ida Taverna Borromeo is dressed like a doll herself. In another photograph, she is in a tiny cart pulled by a goat! There is a showcase with Shirley Temple dolls and memorabilia and there is even a Barbie doll representing Marilyn Monroe. There are also another three rooms containing a children’s fashion museum with a collection of clothing spanning the 17th century to the 1940s.

Frescoe representing Visconti military exploits in 1277.

The castle has many historical rooms, one of which is The Hall of Justice (La Sala di Giustizia) which preserves a marvellous fresco cycle of the late 13^th century. The frescoes represent Ottore Visconti and his military exploits in 1277. This room is also used as a concert hall. From the Sala a wooden staircase leads to the Tower Castellana which affords magnificent views across the wide expanse of Lago Maggiore to Arona, the pre-Alps and the Alps.

A view from the Tower Castellana.

In another room there are animated models of French and German automata mechanical toys produced during the 19th century. Through it is a path with magical effects of light, sound and video installations on which you can see the objects moving. The mechanical automatons date from the 19th century, all of which are fully functioning.

In 2009, the Borromeo family decided to increase awareness of the medieval epoch with the opening of the Medieval Gardens. These gardens provide a fascinating look into the magical world of the Middle Ages. It is a type of laboratory on plantations and crops of the medieval era. Also worthy of note, is a giant 17th century wine press housed in a large wine-pressing room. There is something for everyone to enjoy here!

After a tour of the castle and museums you can have a relaxing lunch in the lovely Caffetteria Della Rocca and savor the stunning views over the lake from the terrace of the castle.

Suggestion: the castle and museums can be seen in half a day. You could combine this with a visit to the lovely town of Arona directly across the lake for the second part of the day.

And now that you've read about it, take a look at the video slideshow. If you weren't already convinced to visit La Rocca, this will do it:

Open 20 March 2010– 17 October 2010 (9.30-12.30/14.00-18:00)
October closed at 17:00
Tickets - 2010 prices – Adults €7.50 Children €5.00 euro (6-15 years)

For the 2010 season they have also opened several new museums at La Rocca; we've mentioned them in an earlier post here.

Nora is the creator and writer of Enchanting Italy, a blog about Chieti, Abruzzo, another beautiful area in this beautiful country. Thank you soooo much Nora, for contributing this lovely post!