The island Madre rises isolated to the center of the gulf Borromeo and it is the greatest island with its 0,08 km². In the XVI century Renato Borromeo destroyed the existing constructions, devoting the island to his wife "Renata" and for all the Six hundred it assumed the name of hers. It is characterized by a botanical garden, composed from five different terraces, that almost totally cover it apart the square that entertains the Borromeo's Building of the Seven hundred with adjacent family's mausoleum. This last is a museum in which it has been reconstructed furnish in environments of the epoch, it entertains a famous theater of the marionettes and the dolls. The favorable microclime has favored the development of rare, exotic and tropical plants, inside the gardens there are, in liberty, pheasants, peacocks and even parrots. The best period to visit it is among March and October.

The south side of the island is easily recognizable, particularly who come from Stresa, island Bella and Pescatori's island, for the presence of the stately Borromeo's Building, that detaches in a luxuriant context of tropical vegetation (1), (2), (3); below it there is the pier of the public and private service boats.

The west side is characterized from a thick vegetation and from a stones' beach, on the extreme left it is recognizable the small private port of ownership of the Borromeo's family; coming from Feriolo, Suna and Pallanza there are, few meters from the shore, the signals of isolated danger (1).

The north side of the island is recognizable for the presence of the small private port of ownership of the Borromeo's family (1), (2).

The east side of the island is characterized from a rich vegetation and from a rock bank where it isn't possible a mooring (1), (2), (3).

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