Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1925-07-08

e VI tue IonS, not summers.
Lugano is Interesting.
1here are several things that make
a matt here very enjoyable, both from
a historic and scenic standpoint. One
OF the hotels has figured prominently
IN history of ages past, being a con.
vent till suppressed in 184S. The town
is quite old, and among it's other
treasures Is the church of San Lor-
enzo' having wonderfully decorated
marble facade In early Renaissance
style, and the convent chapel of Santa
Maria Degli Angel, containing most
beautiful frescoes by Luini.
A few hours spent in a trip by a
cog railway to the top of Mount Saliva
tore repays one very we'll by the won
derful view, spreading out in all d.
rections, and from its summit, on a
clear day, many Of the lakes of north
ern Italy may be seen, including those
of Cards, Orta and Varese.
A short journey by rail brings one
to the edge of Lake Maggiore, which
though limited to a certain extent in
its beauty area, is unsurpassed in
parts. The northern portion is by
far the best, the beauty eliminating
in the neighborhood of Stresa. II
was called by the Romans Lacus Yer
banus, and Is, as it's modern name I'm
plies, the largest in the vicinity, be-
ing forty miles long and in places
six to seven miles wide. 1t is beau
tiful and picturesque ride down the
lake, past many summer homes and
villas, with their lovely surroundings,
nesting in peace at the foot of the
many mountain peaks.
One OF the first places Of interest
to the traveller is Laveno, situated
on the west coast of the lake and
near the mountain of Tasso del Ferro.
/ From the summit the white marble
cathedral of Milan, over forty miles
away, can be seen distinctly, with itG
many turrets and pinnacles.
Across the lake lies Pallanza, busy
| little town at the foot of Mt. Rosso,
which is more of a winter resort, ow-
ing to its warm southern winds.
The Borromean Isles.
Proceeding southwark one reaches
the interesting Borromean isles, which
are four in number-Isola S. Giovanni,
Isola Bella, Lsoa Madre and Isola SUI
periore-the first three belonging to
the noble family of BorromeO.
Isola Madre is a charming place,
built with seven terraces, having gar
| int fnl,
fruit trees and flowers growing In
profusion. 1t is well kept and fine
place to spend pleasant hour or so.
Isola Bella is thoroughly artificial
and rather more curious than beautiful,
with terraces, formal gardens, and
groves, which contrast with the wild
ness and simplicity of some of the
other islands of the group. 1t has an
interesting history, for previous to
| 1910 it was nothing but barren rock,
without vegetation and subjected to
! the washing of the waves, which had
dashed against it for centuries, almost
| cutting it in two. At that time Count
Borromeo started the great task OF
making it into the fairy place 1t Is
today by quarrying the rock from
places and filling it In others, build
ing the arches, terraces and but
! tresseS.
Thousands of boatloads of rich
earth were brought from the mainland
and distributed over the rock in suf-
ficient depth to insure vegetation Its
proper nourishment. This being ac-
complished, the chateau was built and
finished In a lavish manner, many OF
the original articles still remaining In
tact. such as furniture, draperies, Gu
rios and personal effects of the va
rious residents. Among other things
of historic interest here is the bed in
which Napoleon slept the night before
the battle of Marengo.
On Isola Superiore is charming
little fishing village, very compact and
contrasting with the clean and neat
island lust described. The white town
of Stresa lies on the edge of the
lake. while on the mountai0 slopes
hack of the town are verdant pastures
for the grazing Of the herds A very
fine view is to be had from here Of the
Borromean isles, lying but short
distance to the northward.
Mt. Mottarone, which is near here,
rivals the Rigi of Switzerland in the
fine view to be had from its summit.
The plains of Lombardy and Piedmont
! spread out in panorama, while their
rivers appear as ribbons Of silver inter.
lacing them.
From Stresa the train is vaken for
the return Journey to Milan, SO com
Melting the circuit Of the lakeA