 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
St. Leger Islands
In 1885, Richard and Antoinette Fleming St. Leger purchased the Islands of Brissago, which, at that time, were covered by a sparse indigenous vegetation and were home to the remains of a convent. After restoring the convent the St. Legers initiated the creation of the garden. They brought good soil and dung, built paths and planted subtropical plant species.
In 1897 Richard Fleming abandoned both the Islands and his wife and moved to Naples. After the first world war Madame was plagued by debts and her situation became so precarious that, in 1927, she had no choice but to sell the property. First she moved to Ascona and then to Intragna where she survived on welfare benefits up to the time of her death on 24 January 1948. On 12 August 1972, her remains were transferred to the Isola Grande. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
