Antica Villa Branca
Ronco di Cannobio · Lago Maggiore
Novare et Audere
Ronco di Cannobio · Lago Maggiore
Novare et Audere
The Villa · since 1300
Antica Villa Branca is a historic residence built around 1300, with walls that still stand directly upon the living rock. The harmonious blend of natural and man-made elements remains one of the house's most distinctive traits.
Antica Villa Branca and Ronco are the ideal places for those who want to disconnect from everyday frenzy, far from the overtourism circuits. Should you need it, however, the house is equipped with cutting-edge technology: high-speed connectivity throughout the villa to communicate, receive information and work remotely without compromise — even if that is not what we recommend. In short: here, you get to choose.
During the restorations, the 1700s frescoes were recovered wherever possible: painted ceilings and decorations that still accompany guests through the rooms of the house.
On the south side of the house is a painted sundial bearing a Latin inscription attributed to Cicero: «Carere debet in nos omni vitio qui in alterum dicere paratum est» — "He who is ready to criticise another must himself be free of every fault". A call for restraint that anticipates the famous "let he who is without sin cast the first stone". The sundial dates from the late eighteenth century; the date now visible on it records the last restoration, carried out in 1993.
The same motto is carved beneath the Stone Man — the Omm de preja, also known as Scior Carera after the very first word of the inscription — the ancient Roman statue on Corso Vittorio Emanuele in Milan, to which the Milanese secretly attached their satires against the Austrian government, as was done in Rome with the Pasquino. A thread that recalls the ancient bond between the Branca family and Milan.
The Spaces
A historic hall with recovered frescoes, the sixteenth-century fireplace with the Branca coat of arms in stone — eagle and lion —, the antique billiard table dating from the early 1900s, the garden and the view of Lake Maggiore from every room. Every space combines centuries of history with contemporary comfort: latest-generation Wi-Fi throughout the house, the panoramic Focus “Agorafocus” fireplace, designed in 1968, with 360-degree glazing, home automation and NFC badge entry.
The table is an Ottorino Restaldi. The greatest builder of all time won over the public across Europe with his "American construction" billiard tables, superior in solidity, smoothness, precision and quietness; in 1908 he obtained the warrant of Official Supplier to the Royal House of Savoy. It was in that glorious period — between about 1906 and 1915 — that the villa's table no. 13 was built, one of the very first examples of the new Restaldi era: entirely in solid wood, exceptionally sturdy and with a formal splendour that time has not diminished.
In all likelihood the table was purchased in the very first years of the twentieth century for the private drawing rooms of a noble palace of the Rome of that era, a meeting place for diplomats, intellectuals and aristocrats. It remained there for almost a century and was then moved to Ronco; today it welcomes the guests of Antica Villa Branca, still in perfect playing condition.
Place a hand on the fireplace, at its centre, on the lion's head and the eagle's beak. Close your eyes and let the stories of dozens of generations pass through you. Antica Villa Branca holds a living magic: love it and respect it, and it will repay you with the peace and serenity you seek.
At the foot of the house, the garden with its English lawn is the villa's summer living room: beneath the plum tree, the large stone table welcomes breakfasts, lunches and dinners in the open air. Guests also have the use of a professional Weber charcoal grill, for evening barbecues in harmony with nature.
The Village
Ronco is an ancient rural hamlet of the municipality of Cannobio, resting at about 326 metres above sea level on the terraced slopes that climb towards the Swiss border. It is still reached today along the old mule track that crosses the hillside hamlets. The village preserves the charm of a bygone way of life: stone houses, narrow lanes, cultivated terraces and a sweeping panoramic view of the lake.
On the first Saturday of August, Ronco celebrates its festival. It begins around 10 a.m. with Mass, then everyone gathers in the little square in front of the church to celebrate together, eating food prepared by the residents and making friends with anyone passing by or wishing to join. It is a cherished tradition for the people of Ronco, both permanent and part-time residents: the festival is open to all, and anyone who happens to be here is welcome.
At the entrance to the hamlet stands the Oratory of Saint Sebastian, built in 1608. Inside it is kept a rare original apostolic brief of Pope Gregory XVI, dated 1841, granting plenary indulgence to the faithful who visited on the saint's feast day.
GREGORIUS PP. XVI.
Universis Christi fidelibus praesentes litteras inspecturis salutem et Apostolicam Benedictionem.
Ad augendam fidelium pietatem et animarum salutem, ac venerabilibus Ecclesiae...
... omnibus utriusque sexus Christi fidelibus vere poenitentibus et confessis...
... Oratorium publicum S. Sebastiani Terrae Novariensis...
... die festo S. Sebastiani et aliis solitis dierum huiusmodi singulis annis visitaverint...
... ibique pro Christianorum Principum concordia, haeresum extirpatione et S. Matris Ecclesiae exaltatione pias ad Deum preces effuderint...
... plenariam omnium peccatorum suorum indulgentiam et remissionem misericorditer in Domino concedimus...
... Praesentibus perpetuo valituris...
... non obstantibus contrariis quibuscumque...
Datum Romae apud Sanctum Petrum...
... die XXX Martii MDCCCXLI
Gregory XVI, Pope. To all the faithful of Christ who shall see this letter, greetings and Apostolic Blessing. To increase the piety of the faithful and the salvation of souls, we grant to all the faithful of either sex who, truly penitent, having confessed and received Communion, shall each year visit the public oratory of Saint Sebastian of the Novara territory on the feast day of Saint Sebastian, and on that occasion shall raise devout prayers to God for the concord of Christian princes, the extirpation of heresies and the exaltation of Holy Mother Church, the plenary indulgence and remission of all their sins. This concession remains valid in perpetuity. Given in Rome, at Saint Peter's, on 30 March 1841.
In effect, whoever visits Ronco on the feast day of Saint Sebastian, 20 January, receives forgiveness of all sins.
Ronco is known for the wooden sculptures adorning the trail and the village lanes, many by sculptor Santo Alaimo: carved faces, animals and figures appear among the chestnut trees, turning the walk into an open-air museum.
Activities
The nearest beach is the Lido di Cannobio, one of the best known and most popular on Lake Maggiore: a wide beach with a park, beach volleyball courts and, in summer, water games for the little ones. The wind that characterises this area — the Tramontana in the morning, the Inverna in the afternoon — makes it Piedmont's ideal spot for sailing sports: kitesurfing, windsurfing, catamaran and sailing, with equipment rental and courses right on site.
The Valle Cannobina is a little paradise for two wheels: routes for every level, from rides through the hillside hamlets to the most demanding climbs, often as loops with an ascent on tarmac and a descent along trails and mule tracks. Riding times, difficulty ratings, maps and GPS tracks with navigation are available on komoot; an e-bike is perfect for tackling the climbs with less effort.
The two local peaks deserve priority. Monte Giove (1,298 m), Cannobio's emblematic mountain consecrated to the king of the gods, is reached via a beautiful loop right from Sant'Agata: a paved mule track, the little church of San Luca, the Alpe Marcalone and a summit cross overhanging the lake, with views stretching from Locarno to the Brissago islands (about four and a half hours in total). Monte Limidario, or Gridone (2,188 m), the highest peak of the Valle Cannobina on the border ridge with Ticino, is the goal for experienced hikers: from the hamlet of Spoccia, with some equipped and exposed stretches, rewarded by one of the finest panoramas in the area, from the lake to the Magadino plain. The trails then continue towards the walkways of the Cadorna Line and the wild nature of the nearby Val Grande National Park, the largest wilderness area in Italy. Finally, the Orrido di Sant'Anna is well worth a visit: the spectacular gorge carved by the Cannobino stream, with its stone bridge and little church overlooking the ravine.
For a day of art and gardens, the Borromean Islands — Isola Bella with its Baroque palace, Isola Madre and the Fishermen's Island — can be reached by boat along the lake, as can the botanical gardens of Villa Taranto in Verbania, among the richest collections in Europe. Alternatively, a boat tour of the lake departing from Cannobio is the most relaxing way to discover both shores, the Cannero Castles and the villages overlooking the water.
Summer on the Verbano has two international highlights close by: JazzAscona in July and the Locarno Film Festival in August, both less than half an hour from the villa, just across the Swiss border.
Every Sunday, Cannobio's lakeside promenade hosts one of the most famous markets on Lake Maggiore, with around 300 stalls loosely divided into two large areas: food specialities, concentrated around the harbour and the Lido car park — local and national cheeses, cured meats such as the Ciambella Ossolana, fresh lake fish, fruit, vegetables and artisan focaccia — and clothing and leather goods along the promenade, renowned for leather bags, jackets, footwear, linens and quality tailoring accessories.
A tip: the market draws a great many visitors, especially from nearby Switzerland. It is well worth arriving by 9 a.m. to avoid the queues and find a spot near the old town — in summer, parking truly requires a lot of patience.
And finally, the most important activity of all: deciding to do absolutely nothing. Lying in the garden, enjoying the silence and nature, with birdsong as the only soundtrack. As Oscar Wilde wrote, “to do nothing at all is the most difficult thing in the world: the most difficult and the most intellectual”. And should you feel guilty, take comfort in Jerome K. Jerome: “I like work: it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours”.
Surroundings
Just a few minutes from the villa, Cannobio offers its lakeside promenade, the Sunday market, award-winning beaches and excellent lake and regional cuisine. A few addresses tried and recommended by the owners:
Contact · Bookings
Antica Villa Branca is located at Via Silvio Pellico 8, Ronco di Cannobio (VB) — Cannobio's hillside hamlet, perched at about 326 metres above sea level on the terraced slopes overlooking Lake Maggiore, a few kilometres from the Swiss border. It is a few minutes by car from the centre of Cannobio: from the private car park at the foot of the hamlet, an inclined lift takes you straight up to Ronco; alternatively, the climb follows the old mule track through the chestnut trees.
The villa is available for stays and short-term rentals all year round. For information, availability and bookings: