PRESENT

On the island  is the great Benedectine monastery of enclosed nuns founded in 1973, where the ancient castle was until the 19th century, the delightful concert hall Sala Eleonora Tallone, and the seat of Poetry on the Lake. 

www.poetryonthelake.org

In two thousand years the isle has hosted emperors, queens and saints, has experienced tumult, seige and plague. Long before Christianity arrived, pagans worshipped here

This antique island has a strange history. There are legends of dragons, a dragon's cave exists, stories of saints - one above all: St Giulio. It has inspired literary figures and artists, it is loved by poets, mystics and magicians.