The Ecomuseum of Fishing
and Isola Pescatori
Ecomuseum
The Ecomuseum of Fishing and Isola Pescatori, perhaps the smallest Italian ecomuseum, is located on the Lake Maggiore, on the Isola Superiore, which is also known as “dei Pescatori” (i.e. “Fishermen’s Island”) due to the traditional working activity of its inhabitants. It belongs to the archipelago of the Borromeo Islands, situated in the middle lake, in that arm called Golfo Borromeo (i.e. “Borromeo Gulf”), which is overlooked by Stresa and Baveno on one side and, on the other side, by Fondotoce, Suna and Pallanza (Municipality of Verbania).
Partner and Supporter Network
The Ecomuseum of Fishing and Isola Pescatori is the result of a project by the Municipality of Stresa and the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies of the Polytechnic University of Milan, which – also thanks to a collaboration with the local community and associations – has achieved a significant funding from Fondazione Cariplo.
The Island
The Ecomuseum of Fishing involves the whole territory of the Isola Superiore or dei Pescatori, and identifies in particular a network of significant sites, both outdoor and inside historical buildings, which can be connected into a visit itinerary.
Casa Ugo Ara - Fishing Museum
Pro Loco seat - Casa Vittore Zanetti
Church of San Vittore
Cemetery
House-Museum Andrea Ruffoni
Studio A.Ruffoni
Ruffoni Secret Garden
Ancient dock
Harbor
Boiler for dyeing fishing nets
Tail - Belvedere - Via Ugo Ara
Rocks with cup marks
“Sassere” frangiflutti
Via Ugo Ara
House of the Arch
Palazzo Vittore Zanetti
16th-century house with engraved monolithic lintel
Woodsheds
Historical Burchiello
Activities and News
Minicrociere “Isola dei Colori”
Qui vive un pescatore
In occasione di Gente di Lago – visite e laboratori creativi
Island community, stories of lives and traditions
Fisheries life and economy – characterized by several typical activities, such as dyeing and mending fishing nets, boat maintenance, setting up and renewing woodsheds and fishponds for the restocking of the lake - have become integrated throughout the last two centuries with Tourism economy, hosting Italian and foreign visitors, including some artists and notable guests.
Educational
projects
L’Ecomuseo della Pesca e dell’Isola dei Pescatori offre alle scuole in visita la possibilità di compiere, con gli operatori ecomuseali, itinerari tematici ed esperienze laboratoriali alla scoperta delle molteplici tematiche storiche, ambientali, artistiche e antropologiche offerte dal territorio isolano.