Baveno

205 m asl - about 5000 inhabitants.
Facing the Borromean Islands, it is situated in both a lakeside and mountain setting. It is characterized by precious examples of architecture, 19th century villas and by the famous pink granite quarries; it is a site of noteworthy antiquity, as can be seen from the Roman tablets on the facade of the Parish church. The monumental complex of the provostry collegiate church, in the town centre, includes the baptistery, whose original octagonal structure dates back to the Palaeocristian age (5th century); Renaissance frescoes inside.
The church, dedicated to Saint Jervis and Saint Protasio, still bears intact the original 12th century facade, square of partially plastered stone. Since the early 19th century, it has been a well-known tourist resort, as shown by the beautiful villas of the surroundings among which, villa Henfrey (now Branca), where Queen Victoria stayed, and villa Fedora, which belonged to the composer Umberto Giordano. The quarrying of the precious pink granite, still carried out today, reached its peak in the early 20th century.
Some of the most important monuments in the world have been made of this material. At 3 km from the town, we find FERIOL0, a beautiful resort on a natural bay; once a stone-cutter and fishing village, it is now mainly an open air tourist centre. Lake Maggiore Boat service.