Isola Superiore: Fishing Culture and Island Traditions

Isola Superiore, also known as Isola dei Pescatori, is best explored through its fishing history, island traditions, and historic buildings. The Fishing Ecomuseum incorporates the entire area into a visitor trail. Other highlights include the Church of San Vittore at the highest point of the island’s ridge, former fishing nets in the village streetscape, and lake fish from Lago Maggiore as part of the local cuisine.

Fishing History and the Island Landscape

The Fishing Ecomuseum brings together significant outdoor sites and historic buildings in a visitor trail through the entire area of Isola Superiore, also known as Isola dei Pescatori. Another way to explore the island’s fishing history is the small museum on the ground floor of Casa Ugo Ara, established in 2016. It displays materials and objects donated by fishermen and other island residents. The visitor trail through the area and the collection inside the building thus offer two distinct ways to explore the island.

For school groups, the Ecomuseum offers themed tours and workshops on the island’s history, environment, art, and anthropology. The Church of San Vittore is located at the highest point of the island’s ridge. Colorful former fishing nets on houses, balconies, arcades, and in narrow lanes recall the local tradition of fishing and repairing nets by hand. Within the Aree Protette del Ticino e del Lago Maggiore, Isola Superiore is described as “di transito.”

Traditions for Different Occasions

The Ferragosto tradition includes an auction of donated items during the day, after Mass. During Ferragosto week, a traditional bocce tournament is also held at the so-called “tail” of the island. The two customs mark the occasion with different activities: an auction after Mass and a tournament on the island.

On the eve of Epiphany, children walk through the island’s streets, making noise with cans, tin cans, and lids tied to strings to wake the Befana, known there as the “carga vegia.” At Carnival, a long table is set up by the shore, where island residents gather for polenta and wine.

The traditions mentioned here are associated with different calendar occasions: Ferragosto, the eve of Epiphany, and Carnival. If you want to plan your trip around a particular tradition, check the specific dates in advance.

Ferry Connection and Regional Cuisine

As part of the seasonal tour of the Borromean Islands, a passenger ferry reaches Isola dei Pescatori (Isola Superiore) from Isola Bella in five minutes. There, you can visit the characteristic village and have lunch at a traditional restaurant. Check the current timetable before travelling.

Restaurants and osterias on Isola dei Pescatori serve lake fish from Lago Maggiore, including perch, whitefish, pike-perch, char, and bleak. The selection on individual restaurants’ menus may change. If you have a particular restaurant in mind, check its current offerings.

Art and Planning Your Visit

Artist Andrea Ruffoni (1925–1990) developed his own technique, in which plastic materials are burned and melted on a metal mesh. His house museum, studio, and private garden were open to the public from 2016. Check the current summer opening information before visiting.

For the broader travel overview: Stresa.