The view that greets you when you arrive in Varese, whether by car or by train, is an outstanding one. Set in a harmonious natural environment the town spreads under an infinite sky, between the wide green sweep and the calm water of the glacial origin lake and the crown of the Alps and the Prealpi with Mount Rosa, a perfectly set tiara. Over the Varese landscape some important and characteristic architecture elements stand out: on one side there is the unusual silhoutte of S. Vittore bell tower and, on the other side, there are the Sacro Monte Chapels following one another and the little borough of grouped houses on the top. The emerald green, the dominant feature of the sorrounding landscape is spread over the variety of parks and gardens, beautifully merges with the fabric of the city, with palaces and villas which are a discreet sign of the attraction the place has for holidaymakers and tourists. A walk in the old town centre to visit the most interesting spots will provide you with the possibility to spend some enjoyable leisure time.

Varese has over 80,000 inhabitants. It lays on the hills of the Lombard prealpi at 382 metres sea level. It has been the capital of the province since 1927. In the Middle Ages it was part of the Contado del Seprio and afterwards it was dominated by Milan. It was a “free city-state” until 1765 and it then became the seigniory of Francesco III d’Este, Duke of Modena, until his death in 1780, when the town became a city-state once again. The Emperor of Austria declared it a “City” in 1816. It joined the revolution in 1848. In Biumo, where a famous battle took place on 26 May 1859, the Garibaldini defeated the Austrian army. The many lakes sorrounding the town, the parks and the quiet landscape give the town a particular appeal which never fails to attract tourists. Its natural beauty earned it the title of “the garden city” which it is still known by.

Among the most important city monuments there is the BASILICA of SAN VITTORE (16th-17th century). The project was drawn by architect Pellegrini (“il Tibaldi”) and it was carried out by Giuseppe Bernascone, from Varese, at the end of the 16th century. The neoclassical facade was built by Viennese architect Pollack. Inside you can see the splendid paintings by P. Francesco Mazzucchelli, “il Morazzone”, in the Rosario Chapel. The basilica bell tower, defined as Bernascone’s, is one of the most beautiful Lombard buildings from the first half of the 17th century.

The annexed BAPTISTRY OF SAN GIOVANNI (national monument, 12th-13th century) is Romanesque and it stands on a pre-existing building of 6th-7th century). It is still possible to see interesting frescos in the Lombard style of the 14th century and other periods, and a beautiful font.

The CHURCH OF SANTO STEFANO, dating from 9th-11th century, which is one of the most ancient churches in Varese, is in Bizzozero. Among other pieces of art there is a noticeable series of frescos from the 16th century by Galdino da Varese and other precious Romanesque paintings. The bell tower of the 10th century was rebuilt in 1347.

Among the other public buildings ESTENSE PALACE is the most important national monument. It was the summer-autumn residence and court of Francesco III d’Este, Duke of Modena and Lord of Varese. It was built based on drawings by architect Bianchi in the second half of the 18th century. The “Estense Hall” is worth a visit, with its large policromous marble fireplace. Today it is the seat of the Town Hall. At the back of the palace are the “ESTENSI GARDENS”, in one of the most enchanting public parks in Italy, built on the model of the Schonbrunn gardens (Vien) and finished in 1787.

Adjoining the park is VILLA MIRABELLO, today the seat of the Civic Museums, which boasts a beautiful English style garden with rare and beautiful trees such as an age-old Lebanon cedar.

VILLA RECALCATI (18th century) is in Casbeno. At the end of the 19th century it was renowned as the Grand Hotel Excelsiorand many important people of the time stayed there. Today it is the seat of the PROVINCIA di VARESE and the PREFETTURA. The public park is interesting.

North of Varese on the Biumo Superiore hill, in a large public park are VILLE PONTI (18th-19th century), property of the Camera di Commercio Industria Artigianato Agricoltura of Varese. Both are used as a Congress Centre. Adjacent to the Ponti park is the VILLA MENAFOGLIO LITTA PANZA from the 18th century, property of FAI, with the richest private American contemporary art collection in Italy.

Another important town monument is the CASTLE OF MASNAGO with its profane frescos in the 15th century Lombard style.We would also like to recommend a visit to the ruins of the historical CASTLE OF BELFORTE and the TOWER OF VELATE, property of FAI, from the 11th century.

Varese also offers the turist the visit to its OLD PORTICI which characterize the old town centre with PIAZZETTA DEL PODESTA’, the MONUMENT OF THE GARIBALDINO, the PRETORIO PALACE and the BIUMI PALACE (“Broletto”).