The Castle or Rocca Borromeo of Angera, an unusual example of a completely preserved medieval fortified building, rises on a spur of calcareous rock that has always dominated the southern part of Lake Maggiore.
This imposing construction houses items that bear important witness to local history, which is revisited thanks to the marvellous cycle of frescoes of the "Sala di Giustizia" (Justice Hall) dating from the end of the 13th century. It also has many historical rooms, and includes the Torre Castellana, the top of which affords magnificent panoramic views. Also particularly worthy of mention is the seventeenth century wine press that is housed in the wine-pressing room.
Some rooms house the Doll and Children’s Clothes Museum. This is the most important collection of its kind in Europe, and a large section is dedicated to mechanical automatons dating from the nineteenth century, all of which are fully functioning.
The spectacular fortress or Rocca, invites the tourist to experience a fascinating encounter with the area’s historical events and its traditions. It is an age-old heritage that is enhanced by the wide expanse of Lake Maggiore, and is crowned by the incomparable beauty of the foothills of the Alps in the foreground, and the Alps behind.
The tower can also be reached on the regular ferry service.