The Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees in Stresa is a hotel built for 19th century travellers
on their Grand Tours of Europe. This is where Ernest Hemingway recovered from
his war injuries and Winston Churchill honeymooned. So why does this luxury hotel on northern Italy's Lake Maggiore display the symbol of two unicorns?
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Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees, Stresa |
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Two Unicorns Guard the Hotel Entrance |
The unicorn, a mythical creature with a long pointed
horn on its forehead, represents humility and it’s the symbol of the aristocratic Borromeo
family that owns much of the property around Lake Maggiore.
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Humilitas, Humility, on the Palace Lawn |
In the 16th century the Borromeo family built a
lavish palazzo on an island called Isola Bella. Terraced gardens
surround the palazzo and at the top of the elaborate Teatro Massimo is the family symbol, a
large stone unicorn ridden by Cupid.
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Teatro Massimo, Isola Bella |
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Unicorn Sculpture, Isola Bella |
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Cupid Riding the Unicorn |
The family has another emblem, three
interlocking rings, which represents the union of three families
through marriage (the Borromeo, Visconti and Sforza
families).
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The Borromean Rings |
Over the centuries times may have changed
but the Borromeo family branding has not. A unicorn now appears on the palazzo's cafeteria menu and the interlocking rings are on the bottled water, reminding visitors of the family's long and distinguished history.
Never came across any unicorns. Drove around part of Lake Maggiore two years ago getting from point A to point B and definitely want to go back and actually spend some time there.
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It's definitely a place I'd like to spend more time. We barely scratched the surface.
DeleteInteresting. The rings seem such a contrast to Cupid on the unicorn.
ReplyDeleteOne so simple, the other so romantic.
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