The Lago Maggiore area was home turf for two of Italy’s most illustrious noble families: the Borromeo and Visconti.

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It therefore comes as no surprise to learn that these families with a penchant for grand building projects, had a hand in the construction of the area’s finest castles and stately homes.

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Unlike the Visconti family who have essentially faded out of the history books (though their bizarre coat of arms lives on as part of the logo of Alfa Romeo cars), the Borromeos have not only been able to cling on to and expand their amazing portfolio of properties over the centuries but were amongst the first landowners anywhere to successfully open their collection of castles and homes to the public.

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From romantically crumbling relics to magnificent island homes steeped in history, we have listed the main visitable sites.

If you only have time for one building though, we would recommend perfectly preserved Angera Castle, a splendid turreted cliff-top confection looming up over Lago Maggiore and arguably the lake’s grandest building.

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The views over the southern portion of Lago Maggiore are sublime.

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If you’re a real castle buff, you can get your fill a few kilometres south of Lago Maggiore in wine and rice country where it seems that just about every self-respecting town has its own castle, often brick-built. These buildings are not usually open to the public.