Was sind die Castelli di Cannero?

Zwei mittelalterliche Burgruinen auf Inseln im Lago Maggiore, die 2025 als modernes Multimedia-Museum wiedereroeffnet wurden.

Wo liegen die Castelli di Cannero?

Auf kleinen Inseln im Lago Maggiore zwischen Cannobio und Cannero Riviera im Piemont, Italien.

Wie kommt man zu den Castelli di Cannero?

Ausschliesslich per Boot, etwa von Cannero Riviera, Cannobio oder Verbania aus.

Was kostet der Eintritt zu den Castelli di Cannero?

Der Eintritt betraegt 25 Euro pro Person und umfasst die Hin- und Rueckfahrt mit dem Shuttleboot sowie einen mehrsprachigen Audioguide.

Wann haben die Castelli di Cannero geoeffnet?

Die Burgen sind taeglich geoeffnet, montags jedoch geschlossen. In den Sommermonaten wird eine Vorab-Reservierung empfohlen.

Welche Geschichte steckt hinter den Castelli di Cannero?

Die Burgen entstanden im 13. Jahrhundert und wurden im 15. Jahrhundert von den Piraten-Bruedern Mazzardi genutzt, bevor der Mailaender Herzog die Festung 1441 zerstoerte. Die Rocca Vitaliana wurde 1519 bis 1521 unter Ludovico Borromeo erbaut.

Fuer wen eignen sich die Castelli di Cannero?

Fuer Kulturinteressierte, Geschichtsbegeisterte, Naturliebhaber sowie Familien mit Kindern. Die multimediale Ausstellung erzaehlt von Piraterie-, Festungs- und Grenzgeschichte.

Castelli di Cannero

Name: Lakeview Camping Resort Cannobio
Price range: $$

Castelli di Cannero between Cannobio and Cannero Riviera: a newly opened excursion destination as a museum island!

Castelli di Cannero - Museum Island on Lake Maggiore

A magical experience between history and water

They rise out of the water as if from another time: the Castelli di Cannero, two small islands with medieval ruins, against the picturesque backdrop of Cannero Riviera in Piedmont. They were primarily known to boaters as a picturesque anchorage between Cannobio and Cannero Riviera. The small side island serves as a platform for adventurous jumps by boat. And almost everyone who has ever seen it knows it with a large crane in the middle. For a long time, they were mysterious silhouettes in the lake – now they are finally accessible: in June 2025, the historic castles were opened as a multimedia museum after extensive restoration work. Today, a visit to the Castelli is not just an excursion – it is a journey through time, legends and nature.

A look back: pirates, defenders and the Rocca Vitaliana

The history of the castles dates back to the 13th century, when the first fortifications were built on the islands. The islands experienced their darkest period at the beginning of the 15th century, when the notorious Mazzardi brothers – feared pirates – made the fortress the base of their raids. It was not until 1441 that the troops of the Duke of Milan succeeded in driving out the pirates and destroying the castle.

A short time later, between 1519 and 1521, Ludovico Borromeo had a new fortress built: the imposing Rocca Vitaliana, named after one of his ancestors. This served as a defense against possible attacks from the north, especially from the newly formed canton of Ticino. Over the centuries, however, the fortress fell into disrepair – until it finally existed only as a romantic ruin on Lake Maggiore.

The renaissance of castles – museum opening 2025

After decades of slumber, the heritage of the Castelli was rediscovered by the Borromeo family. Under the direction of the Terre Borromeo project, the careful restoration of the islands began in 2019 – with the aim of not only preserving the castle ruins, but also making them an experience.

The new museum on the Castelli di Cannero opened its doors to the public on June 28, 2025. Visitors can expect a fascinating multimedia tour that uses sound, light and images to bring the history of the islands to life. Topics such as piracy, fortress building, border conflicts and the nature of Lake Maggiore are impressively staged – an exciting experience for both adults and children.

Visitor information: Arrival, tickets & opening hours

The islands can only be visited by boat – which makes the experience even more impressive. The entrance fee of 25 euros per person already includes the return trip on the shuttle boat, as well as an interactive audio guide, which is available in several languages.

The boats depart several times a day from Cannero Riviera and, depending on the season, also from Cannobio or Verbania. The exact departure times and booking options can be found on the official Terre Borromeo website.

Visits are possible daily, but the museum is closed on Mondays. Advance booking is strongly recommended, especially in the summer months.

Why a visit to the Castelli di Cannero is worthwhile

The castles on the lake offer an incomparable interplay of culture, landscape and atmosphere. The combination of medieval architecture, innovative exhibition and the spectacular location in the middle of Lake Maggiore makes the Castelli one of the most impressive new museums in Italy.

Whether as a romantic highlight at sunset, an exciting family excursion or a cultural discovery away from the usual tourist routes: The Castelli di Cannero are the new must-see on Lake Maggiore – and a symbol of how history can be told in a modern way.

If you would like to spend more time on an island excursion, we recommend the Borromean Islands: Isola Madre, Isola Bella and Isola Pescatore. However, you need to plan a whole day for this excursion.