The Lake Varese, as the other lakes in the region, is of glacial origin, belonging to the Quaternary Period. On its shores lived the Prehistoric and Neolithic man and many remains of pile-villages have been discovered. Among them, the most important is at Isolino Virginia , near the western end of the lake, in the municipality of Biandronno.

Formerly Isola di San Biagio, this islet in 1822 has been bought by the duke Pompeo Litta and named as his wife, Camilla. Lately, in 1878, was renamed as the Andrea Ponti's wife, the marquise Virginia Ponti Pigna. From 1962, the Isolino Virginia was donated by Gian Felice Ponti to the City of Varese.

The first archaeological excavations was made by the Abbot Antonio Stoppani in 1863 and have carried to the light evidences of life datable from the 2800 B.C.. Have been find also precious remainings of stilt houses of the Higher Neolithic period. For its archaeological importance the island is known on European level.

Many of the archaeological finds are exposed in the small museum of the island, detachment of the Civic Museums of Varese, that is open only from June to September during weekends. Among these finds, there is a portion of cobbled paving, recovered from the diggings of the 1983 and going back to the Higher Neolithic - the Culture of the Lagozza (2800 a.C.).

The entire island (9200 sq mt) are covered from a thick vegetation, sure shelter for the numerous wild animals that live here. Black oaks, alders, many Taxodium Distichum with their roots, water-lilies, butchers's brooms, thick cane fields offer a sicure shelter to the little bittern, the coot, the great crested grebe and the water hen that live in this pure environment.

Isolino Virginia can be reached by boat from Biandronno with a public service. A traditional restaurant is the only building on the island.

The Restaurant

The Island Museum