Once upon a time...
Three pearls perfectly placed on the waters of the lake
Called the “Pearl of the Sebino”, Montisola is the largest inhabited island in a lake in the whole of Europe, consisting of just under 1800 inhabitants divided into 12 districts. The island is flanked by 2 smaller islands: San Paolo across the water from Sensole, and Loreto across from Carzano. Historically these smaller islands had a convent for the nuns on one and a monastery for the friars on the other. Now days both are privately owned and therefore can no longer be visited. On Montisola tourists are allowed to circulate strictly on foot, bicycle or via the public transport provided. The ferry allows bicycles to be transported to and from the island and is available 24 hours a day.Bicycles can also be hired on the island itself. The impact of man is not particularly felt on Montisola as over the years it has remained a so called “green” island rich with areas where nature reigns supreme. The absence of cars and other larger vehicles has preserved the climate on the island, where the absence of smog and the cleanliness of the air makes it an ideal place for who wishes to escape the chaos of city life, and thus in the summer months is very popular with tourists. The Montisolanian economy until recently was completely linked to the fishing of the various types of fish to be found in the lake and to the production of fishing nets. Agriculture centered solely around the cultivation of grape vines and olive trees as the mild climate rendered itself particularly well to these crops. Montisola does not have a true historical centre as every district has its stone houses, narrow quaint streets, etc. On the top of the mountain found on the island and with breathtaking 360° views of the lake, stands the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Ceriola, an ancient 500 year old church constructed on top of an existing chapel. Inside one can find a statue of the Madonna, carved out of a trunk of oak towards whom the inhabitants of Montisola are particularly devoted. In fact every 4 years the statue is transported around the island to visit every district which are decked out for the occasion in celebration of its arrival. Other extroadinary architectural structures include the Oldofredi Castle, an ancient fort once owned by the Mascheroni family and open for guided tours only on special occasions. The beauty of Monteisola however does not end here. Every 5 years, the Festival of Flowers takes place where during the five year period inbetween each festival taking place, traditional methods are used by the towns folk of Carzano to create paper replicas of all types of flowers from tiny to large, from single bouquets to entire gardens, and used to adorn the entire town in colour, beauty and wonder! Well worth a visit as only under close inspection could one tell that the flowers covering the walls and lining the streets and courtyards were not real.
