Castelli di Cannero, Medieval fortress ruins on islets in Lake Maggiore, Italy
Castelli di Cannero are ruins of three fortified rocky islets in Lake Maggiore, visible from Cannobio's shoreline. The remains show walls and towers from different periods that were built directly on the natural rock formations.
The islets were first fortified with a fortress called Castello della Malpaga, then Ludovico Borromeo built Rocca Vitaliana between 1519 and 1521. This new fortress was designed to protect the northern section of the lake from attacks.
The castles show how people in the region used water and stone to defend their homes. Even today, visitors can see walls that follow the natural rock contours, telling a story of how builders worked with the landscape.
The islets are not directly accessible to visitors for safety reasons, but they can be viewed from the shore or tour boats. The best views come from staying near the waterfront or taking a boat ride on the lake.
Interestingly, the different islets show varying degrees of decay, with the eastern one preserving substantial walls while the western one displays only a deteriorating tower and scattered stone fragments. These differences reveal how time and water have affected each fortress differently.
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