Varese

Varese stands on seven hills: the Hill of Biumo Superiore (439 mt), the Hill of Giubiano (407 mt), the Hill of San Pedrino (402 mt), the Hill of S. Albino (406 mt), the Hill of Montalbano (411 mt), the Campigli Hill (453 mt) and the Hill of Miogni (492 mt). It is crossed, in the NW area, by the Olona River, and has the Lake Varese (328 mt) with the little island of Isolino Virginia at its foot.

For its natural beauties and the favourable climate, was a favourite summer and autumn resort of the Milanese aristocracy, who built here several luxurious villas. Among them the 18th century Villa Menafoglio-Litta-Panza with its important collection of contemporary art, Villa Recalcati, seat of the Provincial Administration, Villa Ponti, famous Congress Centre owned by the local Chamber of Commerce, Villa Toeplitz with its characteristic watch tower, surrounded by a beautiful park with a series of fountains (19th-20th Century), Villa Mirabello, which now houses the Civic Museums. But the most important one is Palazzo Estense, summer residence of the duke of Modena Francesco III d'Este who during the second half of the 18th century became Lord of Varese and Governor of Lombardy. All the palace's rooms are frescoed in the fashion of the times but the real highlight is its Italian garden, today open to the public, modeled after those of Schönbrunn in Vienna. The large pool in the square behind the palace is key to the landscaping of this garden, with its relieves, walkways, paths, flower beds and lawns.

In the city centre, there is the 16th-century San Vittore Basilica, built on an ancient church of the 10th century, with its Bell Tower and the Romanesque San Giovanni Baptistry, that preserves some frescoes of the 14th century. In the vicinity, Corso Matteotti, with the city's most elegant shops, and Piazza Monte Grappa with its buildings from the Fascist era.

The Castle of Masnago decorated with 15th-century frescoes that depict the pleasures of courtly life houses the Civic Museum of Modern and Contemporay Art.

To the north of the city stands the village of Santa Maria del Monte and the Sacro Monte with the Chapel's Way,dedicated to the mysteries of the Rosary. Due to its peculiar position, the Sacro Monte offers marvellous views of Varese, the Lombard lakes, the Prealps, far away the Ligurian Apennines and the mountains belonging to the Alps' chain, such as the Monviso, Monte Rosa, Jungfrau and Ortles' group. If the day is particularly clear the Duomo of Milan is also seen.

On Campo dei Fiori stand the Astronomic Observatory and the Botanic Garden , with a cold greenhouse for the alpine flora reproduction.