Built on two specks of rock, the fortifications, known either as the Castelli di Malpaga or Castelli di Cannero, emerge magically from the waters of Lago Maggiore just north of Cannero.

​

The tiny islands were originally fortified in the fourteenth century by five vicious Mazzarditi brothers, a Ghibelline family, who - together with a pitiless band of bandits and smugglers - used them as a base for plundering Guelph victims and controlling trade with Switzerland. One of their favourite activities was kidnapping beautiful young damsels. These brigands, sometimes more romantically touted in tourist literature as pirates, were the bane of the area until they were defeated by Visconti, Duke of Milan.

​

Like so many other valuable island properties, the rocks were taken over by the Borromeo family and in 1519 Ludovico Borromeo built a castle, known as the “Vitaliana” which was named after Vitaliano I, the founder of the family. Major plans are afoot to gradually restore the castle and to open it to the public, but in the meantime, the ruins lend the islands an appealing sense of time-forgotten mystery.

 

Access

​

The islands are only accessible if you have a private boat or otherwise if you can persuade a boat owner from Cannero or Cannobbio to ferry you there. They can also be reached by renting small motor boats from Luino port. The islands make a great spot for a secluded picnic and a quick dip