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In 2026, Lake Maggiore is celebrating a special anniversary. 200 years ago, the first official shipping services began operating between Ticino and northern Italy, now replaced by leisure and ferry trips.
The first official crossing of Lake Maggiore began in Magadino, Switzerland in 1826, using the Verbano steamboat. Before the service launched, the Verbano was tested on various waters in Lombardy under a different name. This was typical for early steamboat navigation, where new technology first had to be tested under real conditions.
The “Piemonte” paddle steamer
Another early steamboat operating on Lake Maggiore was the Piemonte. It was designed by the long-established Zurich-based industrial company Escher-Wyss, a leader in steamboat construction in the 19th century. Ship archivist Mario Gavazzi ex- plains: “The economic and cultural boom of the time created ideal conditions for the construction of large steamboats before 1914.” The Piemonte was brought into service on 24 September 1904. “There are lots of gaps in the information on its history,”says Gavazzi. What we do know is that it was originally called the Regina Madre before being renamed Piemonte in 1943, during the Second World War an attempt to neutralize ship names by basing them on geographical references.
In service for over 100 years
After extensive restoration work, during which the boiler, tech- nology and interior fittings were replaced, the steamer is setting sail again to mark its anniversary. It is the oldest paddle steamer still in operation in Italy. With its characteristic paddle wheels, shiny brass fittings and lovingly preserved wooden elements, the Piemonte exudes nostalgia and recalls the golden age of steam navigation.
In 1950, the propulsion system was converted from coal to oil firing. During this period, many steamboats around the world were taken out of service, but thanks to the foresight of the nationalized company Navigazione Lago Maggiore, the Piemonte survived and underwent a complete renovation after 1961.
A cross-border success story
The 200th anniversary of shipping on Lake Maggiore is an im- pressive milestone, both technically and emotionally. It repre- sents the connection between Switzerland and Italy, as well as their shared history. As Gavazzi says: “The Piemonte blurs bound- aries and barriers in the best possible way.” Numerous celebrations, special trips and cultural events are planned for 2026, honouring the lake and its significance to the region.
