Island of the Fishermen (Isola dei Pescatori)

About

Isola dei Pescatori – or the Fishermen’s Island – is the northernmost of the Borromean Islands that crown Lake Maggiore in northern Italy. Enclosed by a calm lake and a ring of low promenade that is often flooded, the island measures roughly 375 meters in length by 100 meters in width. A narrow spine of cobbled lanes winds through the island’s few dwellings and leads to the promenade that encircles the land. The centerpiece is the 12th‑century San Vittore chapel, a quiet testament to the island’s fishing heritage. Despite its small size, the island is unique in that it remains inhabited throughout the year, with a population that fell to just 25 residents in 2018. The quiet, car‑free village offers visitors a rare, authentic taste of the lake’s traditional way of life, making it a peaceful escape in the heart of a bustling tourist region.