This watercolour captures Isola del Garda, the largest of Lake Garda's five islands, dominated by the Venetian neo-Gothic Villa Borghese Cavazza. Built between 1894 and 1903 by architect Luigi Rovelli for Duke Gaetano de Ferrari and his Russian wife Maria Annenkova, the villa brings the language of Venice's Grand Canal palazzi to Lake Garda. The island has a history stretching back more than 2,000 years: it has been a Roman burial ground, a medieval refuge, a Franciscan monastery founded by Saint Francis of Assisi, a military outpost, and finally the private aristocratic residence it remains today. Its park includes olive groves, lemon houses and mature exotic planting established by the de Ferrari family.
Interesting facts...
Saint Francis of Assisi founded a hermitage here in 1221, while Saint Anthony of Padua visited in 1227. Dante Alighieri is also said to have stayed on the island during his exile. The Franciscan monastery was suppressed during the Napoleonic era, and the island passed through the Lechi, de Ferrari and Borghese families before reaching the Cavazza family in 1927, who still own it today. For centuries it was known as Isola dei Frati, or "Island of the Monks". Maria Annenkova's Russian background influenced the planting, adding species from beyond the usual Mediterranean palette alongside olives and cypresses. The island has welcomed guided visitors during the summer season since 2002.
Location: San Felice del Benaco, Lake Garda, Italy
