Cannero Riviera

Information and places of interest

Cannero Riviera is located on a promontory north of Verbania which, thanks to a natural inlet, enjoys the enviable privilege of being sheltered from the cold winter winds. The very mild climate allows the growth of lush Mediterranean vegetation characterized by citrus fruits, palms, olive trees and, during the spring season, favors the early blooming of the famous camellias which, combined with rhododendrons and azaleas, transform the town into a lush flowering balcony overlooking the lake every year.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Typically medieval are the narrow streets where you can stroll discovering ancient homes or picturesque views such as that represented by the small port dug into the rock.
Still visible today are the stately homes of Massimo d'Azeglio and the patriot Laura Solera Mantegazza.

- CASTLES OF CANNERO: famous for their adventurous history, they stand on two islets a short distance from the shore (in reality they are part of the municipality of Cannobio).
Built between the 11th and 12th centuries and called “Malpaga”, towards the end of the 14th century the Mazzardi brothers lived there. In 1414 Filippo Maria Visconti, Duke of Milan, sent an army to defeat the Mazzardi and Malpaga which, after a brief siege, was razed to the ground. The Cannobio fiefdom was granted, in 1441, to the Borromeo family and in 1519 Lodovico Borromeo built a fortress which, after his death, was gradually abandoned.
Over the following centuries it became a refuge for smugglers, was used by fishermen and was even home to a gang of counterfeiters. Currently, only the ruins of the ancient fortifications remain, home to various species of aquatic birds such as the mute swan, the herring gull, the great merganser that nest here sheltered in the inaccessible ravines.
An impressive restoration project wanted by the Borromeo family has brought the Cannero Castles back to their ancient splendor. After decades of abandonment, the lake fortress that emerges from the waters of Lake Maggiore, has been returned to the community with the opening of a museum equipped with the most modern technologies.
The visit to discover the site leads, from the mainland, into a world of distant atmospheres. An interactive experience capable of bringing you back to the center of the heroic events that occurred in other eras inside the fortress.
Along the route, the most evocative sections of the complex follow one another, telling the story and developments of the ruin: the courtyards with ancient epigraphs that tell the story of the foundation of the castles; the chapel; the rooms, one of which is richly frescoed, where you can admire the archaeological finds discovered during the restoration work; the large keep and the walls.

- CANNERO CAVE: born in fairly recent times from the desire of Don Luigi Bortandelli to create a gathering and meditation point inspired by the Grotto of Lourdes, where the Blessed Virgin appeared to Bernadette. On 16 September 1939, the Grotto was opened to the public.

- CITRUS PARK: born from a collaboration between the Municipality and the Department of Tree Crops of the University of Turin, aimed at recovering the agricultural tradition of this area, historically linked to citrus growing due to the favorable mild climate.
The visitor will be able to walk among rows of carefully arranged “local” citrus trees and get closer to the world of citrus growing through explanatory panels and botanical cards that can be consulted at the citrus documentation center.

- ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM: the culture and history, including social history, of Cannero Riviera can be learned by visiting the Ethnographic and Brush Museum housed in Villa Laura.
Inside the rooms of the Museum, it is possible to admire scenes of past life expertly reconstructed. A special section is then dedicated to the brush industry, which was very active in Cannero Riviera until the first half of the 20th century.

- ANTICO PRESS E GRA’: they are located in the hamlet of Oggiogno and bear witness to the activities practiced in the Cannero area in past centuries.
The mild climate favored the formation of terraces on the slopes of the mountains used for viticulture, for which numerous presses were built for pressing grapes. The press present in Oggiogno was built in 1742 and is the only one that survived in its original form.
Another activity of primary importance was chestnut growing. The chestnuts, once collected, were dried in small special buildings, the grà, to last all winter.

- LAKESIDE and HISTORIC CENTRE: the historic centre of Cannero Riviera reveals artistic and architectural jewels of great charm.
The lakeside, a succession of villas and ancient buildings, leads to the ancient port, built during the nineteenth century to shelter the inhabitants' boats. The ancient port is located a few steps from the Imbarcadero, built in the second half of the 19th century with a typical iron roof in Liberty style.
Going up from the lakeside towards the highest part of the town, there is the Piazzetta di Togliano, or degli Affreschi, a delightful historical corner where you can admire frescoes that recall some historical moments of the place, created by the painter Enzo Tipaldi in the mid-80s.

- LIDO: located in a natural inlet, it is a large sandy beach equipped and accessible to all. The shallow waters, the surveillance and rescue service active during the summer season, and the numerous services such as pedal boat and canoe rental make it a popular destination.

ORANGE FLAG and BLUE FLAG

The Orange Flag is the environmental tourism quality mark of the Italian Touring Club aimed at small inland towns that stand out for an excellent offer and quality hospitality.
The Blue Flag of the Beaches is an environmental recognition that can be boasted by tourist locations that are committed to sustainable management of the territory. It is awarded annually by the FEE, Foundation for Environmental Education, an international non-profit organization present in 60 countries around the world.

ACTIVITIES

Sports enthusiasts can enjoy numerous activities: jogging on the lakeside and playing tennis or water activities such as diving and rowing. Schools and associations in the surrounding area offer sailing, rowing and scuba diving courses, guided excursions and equipment rental.
Nordic Walking enthusiasts can have fun in a Nordic Walking Park equipped with six marked routes with different levels of difficulty. The routes wind through urban and dirt sections on the surrounding hills and also pass through the hamlets of Cannero Riviera, with breathtaking views of Lake Maggiore and traces of rural civilization.

EVENTS

Cannero is the scene of many folk and gastronomic events throughout the year.

- CAMELLIA EXHIBITION: the entire area of Lake Maggiore is known throughout the world for its typical flowers (azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons) which, thanks to its particularly mild climate, bloom luxuriantly.
Camellias can be admired especially in spring, in the gardens of private villas and in the Camellia Forest located in the small hamlet of Cheggio, on the heights of Cannero, where the plants grow almost spontaneously, or in nurseries and during the Camellia Exhibition, an event organized every year in spring. Between scientific moments, exhibitions of cut flowers, excursions and many collateral events, the Camellia Exhibition is one of the events that inaugurate the tourist season.

- CITRUS FESTIVAL: in addition to flowers, citrus fruits also find their ideal habitat in Cannero Riviera, growing and maturing both in private gardens and in the Citrus Park, where it is possible to walk admiring the plants arranged in well-ordered rows.
These winter fruits are celebrated every year in spring with the Citrus Festival: exhibitions, shows, guided tours, tastings of typical products prepared with the fruits of this land, such as biscuits and citrus tea, and themed menus in the restaurants of Cannero Riviera.

- LIGHTS ON THE LAKE: a very suggestive event takes place on the second Sunday of July, in conjunction with the patron saint's day.

- AUTUMN PARTY: the second Sunday of October sees the festival dedicated to the flora and fauna of the season preceding winter.

SURROUNDINGS

Cannero Riviera is the starting point for numerous boat trips: every Wednesday you can reach Luino, on the Lombardy shore of Lake Maggiore, to visit the famous weekly market, while on Sundays special trips lead to nearby Cannobio, where an equally famous market is held that also attracts visitors from nearby Switzerland.
Starting from the Cannero pier, you can visit the Hermitage of Santa Caterina, on the Lombard shore, or reach Verbania for a visit to the botanical gardens of Villa Taranto or the Borromeo Islands and Stresa.