Posted on December 13, 2012 by sguese

With a setting at the foot of the pre-Alpine mountains, Varese is the land of water, valleys and

castles. The town surrounds in some of the most spectacular of landscapes including ten lakes of glacial origins. The city itself has grown up with castles connecting its green spaces. Just north of Milan, this garden city boasts an urban plan unlike other Lombard cities. Varese is best on foot, where you can stop at these five points and appreciate this unique Lombard city.

Stop #1-Corso Matteotti: Many have called Corso Matteotti the drawing room of Varese. The thoroughfare adorns in elegant buildings. It makes for a pleasant stroll due to its pedestrian area. Without cars whizzing by, you can pop in and out of the city center’s best shops.

Stop #2—Piazza Monte: Varese’s Piazza Monte sits at the center of the city. The modern square holds a number of Varese’s main buildings include the Basilica and Municipal Palace. The Municipal Palace is the former castle of the Dukes of Este. Visitors should be sure to check out the scenic landscaped public garden in the palace.

Stop #3—Basilica of San Vittore: Piazza Monte’s main showpiece is the Basilica of San Vittore. It warrants its own stop apart from the Piazza. The Basilica holds paintings from the 17^th century Lombard school. Its Baroque bell tower has become an icon in town, famous throughout the area.

Stop #4—Lago di Varese: The area surrounding Varese is very much about its lakes. Lago di Varese rests at the gates to the city. Located in between the foothills of the Alps in the high Po plain, Lago di Varese has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Lurking in its waters are an abundance of fish and birds.

Stop #5—The Sacred Mount of Varese: Located at the Campo dei Fiori Regional Park, the Sacred Mount of Varese is hard to miss. Of course, walking to the mount is a bit more strenuous. Instead travelers can head to the funicular that has connected it with the city since 1953. The mountain massif enjoys looking out for Varese. You will see a number of chapels on the way up to the Sacred Mount of Varese.