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Varese is a city and comune in north-western Lombardy, Italy, near Lake Varese and the Alps. It is the capital of the Province of Varese and has a rich history, culture, and economy.
- The “Garden City” Varese has been dubbed the “Garden City” because of the numerous parks and gardens of all shapes and sizes that adorn the town with their well-manicured bushes and flower beds.
- Milan’s little Versailles. Italian poet Giacomo Leopardi once described Varese as Milan’s little Versailles while referring to the magnificent Palazzo Estense.
- A charming city center. Varese’s pedestrian city center is really pretty, dotted with lively piazze and cozy cafés nestled under porticoed streets. One of my favorite spots is Broletto, a delightful XV-century courtyard that used to host the local grains market and today houses little shops and a café.
- Beautiful villas. There are some pretty amazing villas in Varese that used to be the home of aristocratic families and now are open to the public. One of these is the splendid Villa Panza, sitting on top of a hill and opening up onto a fantastic 30,000 sqm Italian garden.
Things to Do in Varese, Italy: See Tripadvisor's 63,185 traveler reviews and photos of Varese tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in October. We have reviews of the best places to see in Varese. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.
- Corso Matteotti
- Piazza Del Podestà
- Palazzo Biumi
- IL Garibaldino
- Arco Mera
- Basilica San Vittore
- Baptistery of San Giovanni
- Bernasconi Tower
- Ex Monastero Di S. Antonino
- Casa Perabò
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Corso Matteotti is the main street of Varese and is pedestrianized. The street is flanked by the so-called “a lista” houses, which in the past served as a shop and private home. On the ground floor, under the arcades, there was the entrance to the shops; on the first and second floor, there was the house, with the living area on the first floor and...
Continuing along Corso Matteotti, you arrive in Piazza del Podestà; a monument to Garibaldi’s soldiers is in the center of this square. The square is a sort of connection between Corso Matteotti and other streets in the center of Varese. In Piazza del Podestà, we find the Palazzo del Pretorio, the palace that was the seat of the municipal governmen...
Also in Piazza del Podestà there is another historic building of great value: Palazzo Biumi. This palace, also known as “Broletto”, has its entrance next to Palazzo del Pretorio. The palace was erected in the 14th century at the behest of the noble Biumi family. The courtyard is particularly impressive inside the building: in this place where time ...
Finally, in Piazza del Podestà, we also find the Monument to the Battle, also known as the monument“To the Hunter of the Alps” or simply as “Il Garibaldino”. It is a bronze statue that intends to remind everyone of the victorious battle that took place in Varese during 1859. In reality, however, the one on display is only a copy, the original monum...
The Arco Mera, one of the symbols of Varese, connects Corso Matteotti with Piazzetta San Lorenzo, where the Basilica of San Vittore stands. The arch, which amazes for its elegance and grandeur, was built at the behest of the canon Luigi Mera, and is distinguished by some statues and bas-reliefs.
The Basilica of San Vittore, located in a small square in the historic centre of Varese, is one of the most important places of worship in the city. Dedicated to San Vittore, the basilica was built between the 16th and 17th centuries and also includes the Gothic-style baptistery and the Baroque bell tower. The Basilica of San Vittore is a small mas...
Attached to the Basilica of San Vittore we find the Baptistery of San Giovanni, declared a National Monument. It was built between the 12th and 13th centuries, in the place where another church once stood. The façade of the Baptistery is in the shape of a hut and there is also a statue, dating back to 1300. On the portal there are some very particu...
TheBell Tower, visible from many points of the city, thanks to its height of 80 meters, is located near the Basilica of San Vittore and has become one of the symbols of Varese. It was built starting in 1617, but the work, including pauses and resumes, ended only in 1773. Inside the tower there is a staircase made up of 230 stone steps, which allows...
Returning to Corso Matteotti, we also find the ancient Monastery of Sant’Antonino. Its beautiful cloister is a real oasis of peace within the historic center of Varese. The convent was built in the 16th century when Cardinal Carlo Borromeo transferred some nuns from the Luvinate Monastery to Varese. Later the Monastery was abandoned, then used as a...
In the heart of the historic centre of Varese, one cannot fail to notice a splendid Gothic window located in Via Albuzzi. This is the Perabò House, owned by one of the most important families in Varese. The window has an inestimable historical and artistic value: it is an original window from the second half of the 15th century.
Varese is a province of Lombardy with many churches, monuments, and historic villas to see. Discover the main street, the piazzas, the arches, the basilica, the bell tower, and the lake of Varese.
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Varese is a city in Lombardy, Italy, known for its parks, villas, palaces and museums. Discover its history, culture, nature and gastronomy with in-Lombardia official website.
Varese is a hillside city in Lombardy, near the Swiss border, with a historic centre, a lake and the Alps. Learn about its attractions, such as the Palazzo and Estensi Gardens, the Sacro Monte, the Villa Panza and the Schiranna park.
Discover Varese, a city in Lombardy rich in natural beauty, art and culture. Explore its historic centre, its villas and gardens, its lake and mountains, and its events and attractions.
