Stresa first appeared in documents in 998 and was under the jurisdiction of the Viscontis’ and the Borromei. Around 100 years ago, with the arrival of the philosopher Rosmini, followed by the writer Manzoni and Elizabeth of Saxony (the duchess of Genova), Stresa became better known. The opening of the Simplon Tunnel railway in 1906 brought Stresa international fame and grand hotels, villas and elegant gardens appeared along the lakefront which faces the Borromean Islands. The backdrop of the Alps with magnificent views from the top of the Stresa to Mottarone make Stresa a true lakes and mountains resort. The Congress Palace made Stresa an excellent resort to hold events and it hosts numerous concerts during the summer months as well as international conferences. Apart from Stresa’s own attractions, the city of Milan with its gothic cathedral is nearby as is the Piedmont regional capital, Turin.
MUSEO PIETRO CANONICA
From 1898, for a period of seventeen years, Canonica was a frequent visitor to Stresa due to his friendship with the Duchess of Genoa, mother of Queen Margherita of Savoia. As a regular guest at the duchess’s villa in Stresa he sculpted several bronze monuments for the town over a period of more than thirty years. In 1953, prompted by his strong ties with the town, Canonica donated a large number of his plaster and marble works to the City of Stresa, to be exhibited in a hall dedicated to him. Following a temporary arrangement in the Palazzo dei Congressi (Congress Palace), the sculptures by Canonica have now been restored and have found a more suitable home in a special exhibition room reserved expressly for his works within the Town Hall.
ABOUT PIETRO CANONICA (Moncalieri 1869 - Rome 1959)
developed as a sculptor among the academia in Turin. Skilfully combining the demands of Verismo with the spiritualistic inclinations of Symbolism, he became famous as the portrait sculptor of the European aristocracy and upper bourgeoisie. After moving to Rome, in 1908 he collaborated on the sculptural decoration of the monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, obtained several commissions in Italy, the Balkans, Turkey and Russia and also made his mark composing operas.
“MARGHERITINE”- A STRESA DELICACY!
The light, buttery recipe for these pastries dates back to when the Italian royal family used to stay at the Villa Ducale in Stresa. Local confectioner, Pietro Antonio Bolongaro was developing a new recipe for a new delicate and crumbly biscuit and sent a batch of these biscuits to the Villa Ducale for Princess Margherita (later to become the first Queen of Italy) to try. The princess enjoyed them so much that they were always available in the royal household and where named “Margheritine” in her honour. Pietro Antonio Bolongaro’s son inherited his fathers bakery and today all the cake shops and many of the bars sell “Margheritine”.
