Traveling on the Italian island of Monte Isola

• Travel on the Italian island of Monte Isola

Now, when the window slushy and gray, it's time to go back to sunny Italy, even for a moment. Namely, in the region of Lombardy, Monte Isola island on Lake Iseo.

To reach the lake, you need to take the train to Milan-Venice. Oh, what was the temptation to get to the final station, but, following the original route, I was rewarded, because reality has surpassed expectations. So, go out in the city of Brescia, we sit on the regional train to the city of Iseo and then to the boat - and we are on the island of Monte Isola.

Lake Iseo (Lago di Iseo) - the smallest of the four "great" lakes of Lombardy. It is believed that it is the most "Italian" of them, as the come and rest on it mostly Italians. Located between the provinces of Bergamo and Brescia. The area of ​​the reservoir is 63 sq. km, and the deepest point reaches the 251 meter mark. On the lake there are three islands: Monte Isola, Loreto and San Paolo.

The small island of San Paolo has an ancient history. In the XI century, the monastery was founded here, which lasted 100 years. Then the island was rented to fishermen. In the XV century, the lake was actively used by family Fenaroli, the owners of these lands. In 1490, the island was handed over to Franciscan monks, the church was built there. By the age of true scary story, when someone killed 9 of 13 monks. In 1783, the remaining 14 novices moved to Lake Iseo, and the island was sold to private owners. The current owners of the San Paolo is the family Beretta, which has built here and the cottage project Dabbeni architect.

The island of Monte Isola - the largest and highest lake inhabited island in Europe.

There are about 1,800 people live. The main occupation of the locals is the weaving of networks, their products are even exported. And on the waterfront shops with branded products.

The island has no car traffic, between the villages ply only municipal buses with 30 seats.

To get to the island to the city of Iseo or Sulzano nearby villages or Marone by ferry or by boat. The main transport hub of the island is the village of Peschiera Maral.

As the guide told us, transport links between the island and the mainland is organized very well and allows "islanders" to work in other cities and to study in higher educational institutions without changing their place of residence.

The island is famous for its fish restaurants, and even in winter here for the sake of the local cuisine Italians often come with their families to spend the weekend.

On the lake are common windsurfing, sailing, canoeing.

The atmosphere on the island is very relaxed. If, after Moscow and Milan seem unhurried town, then to Monte Isola time just stopped.

As soon as we left the quay, people in general have ceased to meet.

Postman, so someone still is alive here.

Church of Archangel Michael. It was built back in 1648.

An open and completely empty.

While we photographed interior of the church, who had come to pray, so we quietly left.

Then the plan was a dinner, and we were able to evaluate the kitchen, for which here every weekend come Italian tourists.

Local specialties: four kinds of fish (all of the lake) and three kinds of meat. And this is just an appetizer! Photos rest of culinary delights will not reveal so as not to pass for greedy.

On the boat we go to another part of the island.

Mount Monte Isola divides into two halves. South-eastern slope of a steep and wooded, the western part of the island flatter.

The olive trees grow everywhere - local residents have long been cultivated olives and grapes.

On the pier lined up an army of parents meet their children out of school from the mainland.

creamery La Masna dell'Isola.

It is we hoped to see himself butter manufacturing process. Moreover, all production takes up a small space.

But this summer was very rainy in Italy, olives are not ripe in time, and harvesting was postponed for a month in October.

I had to be content with the story creamery owner.

Since the island is forbidden to use the car, we walked right over the roadway.

Fishing for local residents - both work and leisure.

houses look like uninhabited - the shutters are closed, the doors are locked - even though it is actually not the case.

Two of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

The island of Loreto. It is known that on the island at the end of the V century, the monastery was built, which existed for several centuries, was abandoned, and now only ruins remain of it. Later, the island passed from hand to hand, and at the beginning of the XX century went to the captain of the Royal Navy Vincenzo Richeri who built a neo-Gothic castle and a marina with two small lighthouses and around the planted conifers. Currently, the island is privately owned and the entrance there is forbidden, however, as the island of San Paolo.

Full relax.

How good it would have nothing to do there, and it's time to the boat to the mainland.

In the town of Iseo we have time to look, "one eye" - ran over streets during the hours that remained before the departure of our train. Although the city is also very beautiful and, of course, requires more time.

Old laundry.

The small streets are beautiful, as well as Lady living here.

In the past, the city of Iseo was the main trade center of Lake Iseo, and today is a popular tourist resort with many hotels, shops and restaurants.

Church of the XVI century Pieve di San Andrea, in which the web is stored Loverini "The Last Supper". On the territory of Saint Andrea Church and the Church of St. Giovanni and the Church of St. Silvestro.

The frescoes in a church.

In the past especially not stand on ceremony - painted new murals over the former.

And it's time for the station and the train to Milan will leave without us.