rocca di angera

The castle is perfectly maintained, and therefore unique. Inside, the castle houses a doll museum, apparently well known by collectors Europe wide. But for they normal visitor it is just a nice little add on to the visit as seeing the exhibition leads you through the whole castle. Climbing all the way to the top is definately worth it: the view are spectacular.

Visited this fortress as it is another Borromeo home, having been to Isola Madre and Isola Bella. You can get an ordinary ferry or a hydrofoil down the lake to Angera. Be prepared for the uphill hike from the ferry landing, not much shade on a hot day. View over the lake well worth the effort. Be sure to go right to the top of the fortress for the best views, climbing up the various ladders from the Hall of Justice (where the excellent frescoes are). If it's a wet day, this place is ideal for the Doll and Toy museum; it warrants a good inspection. Take some time to wander round the garden and then enjoy the stroll downhill back to the town. There is a cafe and small shop at the fortress, but there are lots of cafes back at lake level.

When I tour a medieval castle, I expect (and want to see) a lot of old armor and weaponry and dungeons. Had I known ahead of time that this tour would have been primarily of a multi-level display of hundreds of toys, dolls and toys, I would have passed it by. What a mistake that would have been. The old dolls and toys are fascinating - and some were downright weird. You really have to see it to believe it. No matter what your interests are, you will be amazed by this castle and its wonderful museum.

Like many Italian gems this attraction is undersold. We only found out about it on Tripadvisor and by visiting the tourist information office in Angera.The castle was the home of the Borromeo family until they took over a few islands (the Borromean Islands) up the lake and built lavish palaces. There are lots of bits of family history, as you'd expect.Also there is a Doll and Toy museum with many fascinating exhibits. Also, tucked in one corner, there is also exhibit on automata (or clockwork toys) which I found fascinating, and may appeal if you have seen the film Hugo.And of course a huge castle where you can climb to the top of the tower and admire the stunning view, plus an interesting little garden and a nice cafe. All in all an excellent way to spend a few hours.

It was rainy so we choose to visit Angura Castle. After the two island homes we were thinking just another big over the top home, but we were pleased to see the remnants of a winery, fortification and home with a doll and toy museum thrown in. It was a great rainy day activity as other than the gardens it was inside. It actually was our favorite as it was more reality than another fancy house. The dolls and toys were interesting also. I would recommend even for kids because of the greater link to the reality of the past.

go all the way to the top, the view is amazing. and don't forget to explore the garden, there are some amazing plants overthere

This beautiful medieval castle overlooking Lago Maggiore was built by the Borromeo family, who owned extensive property on the lake. La Rocca includes a medicinal garden and vineyard and hosts a doll exhibit. It is a lovely walk uphill from tranquil Angera below. I highly recommend it.

We stopped at the castle the morning we arrived in Italy, so I may have been a little foggy from the flight. Nice views, pretty big castle, museum with a lot of sometimes creepy dolls. I would not put this on a "must see" list, but it was worth the visit.

Park your car in the center of the village and walk slowly up hill. Bring a hat and water :-) it is warm between the old stone walls, but well worth the effort.The castle is well kept, an interresting building with impressive walls and beautiful garden and a magnificent view. Go there on a clear day and you can see the Alps across the lake.The puppets however are scary, especially in the first gloomy dark rooms they look like dead babies. You may take a side entrance to avoid that part.The last wing of the toy exibition may be fun for grey haired visitors; who have had that stuff at home.It is possible to buy a combined ticket for the castle and the two islands Isola Bella & Isola Madre. This will save a bundle.In my opinion the best order is to see the Castle first, then Isola Madre with beautiful landscape garden, and keep the weirdly decorated Isola Bella for a quick look around at last.The boat ride is a joy in itself.

We had heard about the castle with Italy's largest collection of dolls so we visited on a fine afternoon. The best thing about the castle was the amazing view of mountains and Lake Maggiore from the top of the tower and we also enjoyed the lovely garden and pleasant café.The doll museum had an interesting and extensive collection but although there was general information about the dolls in each room, more individual detail would have been useful and I would have been happy to pay for a small catalogue. The small children in our group very quickly lost interest as the collection was so large.

Located uphill the castle is amazing .... And the view from there of the town is great. Some of the items displayed are a bit odd .. But it is a must see if you are in the location.

Spent an interesting afternoon exploring the castle. The doll museum is spread over much of the ground floor and although this is interesting it does seem to go on for a rather long time! Upstairs though you get to see some beautiful rooms with fantastic views from the very top of the tower.

The 12th century castle itself is pretty but the view is amazing from there. You can see a long distance down the lake and also the Alps in the background. There is a cafe and beautiful gardens as well as the Doll & Toy museum which is interesting, even if some of the old dolls are creepy!!! You need a half day there to see it all and then you can spend the rest of the day in the pretty town of Angera and have a coffee/ice cream or dinner in one of the great restaurants. Angera is on the Lombardy side of Lake Maggiore which is less touristy than the Piemonte side so more genuinely Italian. Careful! it closes during the winter months.

It is well preserved fortress with wonderful views of the lake and Arona across the lake. Climb the fortress, if just for the views.

Wanted to visit this and got entry as part of combined ticket for Isola Bella and Isola Madre. Luckily can use the ticket on a different day as it's much further down the lake. Getting here from Stresa on the ferry is akward (first fery not until luch time from Stressa) so we took the local bus to Arona and the the ferry from there across to Angera (plenty ferries all day shuttle between the two). There was a lack of helpful signing but we walked into the town and then found the way up. It's a good twenty five minute up hill walk to the castle but worth the effort. Most of the rooms in the castle are given up to a doll and toy museum which I'm sure would be interesting to some. The hall is beautiful with old frescos. The view from the top of the tower down Lake Magiore is spectacular but the steps up are steep, narrow and numerous.