D. The Habsburg Port – Angera’s Saffron

Audio narration by eArsD. The Habsburg Port – Angera’s Saffron  (Carmela Pappalardo CP)Narrator: Angera has always offered a berth for boats crossing Lake Maggiore.In Roman times, the landing site was located in a small inlet just south-east of Isolino Partegora. The small, stone-built port here dates from the nineteenth century during a period of Austrian rule. It was built by Ajcardo Castiglioni, a doctor of Angera with a wide range of interests, including physics and botany. It was in the latter field that he left Angera a lasting legacy. Carmela Pappalardo, founder of the farm Le Sinergie, explains.CP: In 1810, Ajcardo Castiglioni introduced saffron cultivation in Angera for the first time in Lombardy. It began with just five bulbs, obtained from the botanical garden in Pavia.In just a few years, he built up a significant production, which even found its way to shops in Milan. In 1829, he wrote a book on how to grow the plant, full of advice and anecdotes and urging Angera’s farmers to add this spice to their crops. Indeed, saffron is well suited to this land. It’s planted in late August and blooms between October and November, when we’re usually free from hailstorms that could harm the crops. Saffron isn’t troubled by rain or snow.N: Castiglioni’s advice went largely unheeded—at least at the time. His insights were rediscovered much later by Carmela and her farm.CP: We started growing it in 2015, directly inspired by his book. We harvest the flowers by hand while they’re still closed in order to preserve their aroma and quality. That’s what guarantees such a high-end product.Today, Angera’s Saffron has earned the designation of Denominazione Comunale di Origine, which certifies the authenticity and quality of local products.N: Just one more reason to enjoy a delicious risotto by the lakeside, if you haven’t already done so.