Borromean Islands

Borromean Islands, a group of four islands in Lago Maggiore, N. Italy. They are named after the family of Borromeo, one of whom - Vitelliano - in 1671 converted three of them into gardens. They are named: Isola Bella, the most celebrated, and having a palace of the Borromeo family with fine paintings and other works of art, and a remarkable garden, with rare exotic trees and shrubs; Isola Madre, the largest, Isola San Giovanni, and Isola Superiore or Isola dei Pescatori, inhabited by fishermen.