The name Stresa first appears in a document from 998. Under the jurisdiction of the Visconti and Borromei families, from the 19th century Stresa began to gain renown, thanks to the presence first of Antonio Rosmini, then of Alessandro Manzoni and later of Elisabetta di Sassonia, Duchess of Genoa. The construction of the Simplon railway in the early 20th century made Stresa internationally renowned. The shore, dotted with large hotels, villas and gardens, overlooks the three islands, crowned by the pre-Alps. The proximity of major cities, such as Milan and Turin with their airports, the Palazzo dei Congressi (Convention Centre), the hotels combining state-of-the-art equipment with traditional hospitality, the gardens and the ideal temperature, make Stresa one of the most renowned resorts in Italy today.
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”.
