The gardens were created by  Baron and Baroness Richard and Antoinette Fleming de St. Leger and then continued by the new owner from 1927, Max Emden. He built the elegant residence. In 1949 the Cantonal Government, the three lakeside municipalities of Ascona, Brissago and Ronco sopra Ascona, the Swiss League for the protection of the national heritage (Swiss Heimatschutz), and the nature conservation league (Pro Natura) joined forces and purchased the Islands and the house.

Today the villa contains a hotel, a restaurant and the administration offices of the Botanical Park of Canton Ticino.

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