Villa Pallavicino Park, Stresa
Villa Pallavicino Park in Stresa (Parco Villa Pallavicino) is the most beautiful place, that have long crossed the threshold of being a simple zoo. Exotic animals feel quite free here, walking around in large open spaces with a wonderful flora. The picture is complemented by an elegant villa and enchanting landscapes of Lake Maggiore, on the shore of which the zoo is located.
History of the park
In 1855, a beautiful villa for a statesman Ruggero Bonghi was built on the shore of the lake. But soon enough, in 1862, it was sold to the Marquis Pallavicino. New owners have remodeled and expanded the building, creating a typical neoclassical mansion of the 19th century. A beautiful English park was laid out around the villa. In 1954, the owner of the estate created a zoo in the garden, which became home to several dozen species of animals. In 1956, it expanded a little, and over the following years was replenished with new representatives of the fauna and flora. Interestingly, the Pallavicino family still owns the old villa and maintains it in excellent condition. And in 2017 the park became part of the tourist route of the Borromeo Bay on Lake Maggiore.
Infrastructure of the park
The park has a total area of 20 hectares. It houses a summer garden, well-groomed flowering alleys, a small farm, and the animal habitats, including open meadows and wooded areas with old trees. The limited number of typical for Italy evergreen plantations will catch your eye. The entire park is an excellent landscape area, with terraces going down to the lake. More than 40 species of trees, including sequoias, ginkgo biloba, magnolias, Lebanese cedar, wisteria, oleanders grow here. Also there is a large rose garden with rhododendron and azaleas. The beautiful view is accentuated by curved cypresses creating a series of arches that lead to the lake's water.
The fauna of the park is represented by 37 species of birds, mammals and reptiles. Kangaroos, zebras, raccoons, ferrets and skunks, all kinds of parrots, pink flamingos, peacocks, swans and owls live here. And the space is organized in such a way that many animals move freely in their habitats, and visitors can do more than just observe them. Children will be thrilled by the opportunity to pat and feed the lamas, deer and Tibetan goats on a farm.
On the territory of the park there is a playground, a bar-chalet and a souvenir shop. Naturally, the park provides excursions for groups and schools. The only disappointment can be the inability to get inside the villa, as it is still a private area.
How to get there
The park is located in Stresa, on Via Sempione Nord, 8. It is 150 km northeast of Turin and 90 km from Milan. It will be easier to get there from the latter. Depart from the central station of Milan and go to the town of Stresa. Travel time will be a little over an hour. If you go by train from Turin, then from Torino Porta Nuova station you need to get to Milan, where you make a transfer to the train going to Stresa. If you go by car, then you need to go from Turin along the A4 motorway, then follow A26 and E62 following the signs to Stresa. From Milan to Stresa, you can get by following the signs of the E62 motorway.
Opening hours: from April to September from 9:00 to 19:00, in November from 9:00 to 18:00. The ticket office closes 1.5 hours earlier. In winter the park is closed.
Admission: the price of the adult ticket is 9.5 euros, for children (6-15) – 6.5 euros. Family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) – 25,5 euros. The price of tickets for groups of adults (from 18 people) – 7 euros, for groups of children (from 13 people) – 5 euros. Data of May 2018.
