The scenery of Lake Maggiore has been a source of inspiration for a procession of writers from near and far. Hemingway set parts of “A Farewell to Arms” in Stresa and the northern part of the lake; Dickens was enraptured with Isola Bella.

The connection with writers continues in the many literary events held annually in the area: the Stresa prize for Fiction; the book festival Editoria & Giardini, on the theme of gardens; the Fabbrica di Carta, the most important book fair of the area; LetterAltura, a festival focusing on mountains and mountain literature; and the Piero Chiara Prize, in memory of the Luino writer Piero Chiara, who drew much of his inspiration from the Lake Maggiore area.