Varese Things to Do

4 more images

Palazzo Estense, work of the architect Giuseppe Bianchi, is the most representative palace in Varese. By the time it was constructed (1776-1771), this area was the outskirts of Varese, nowadays it is situated just a foot from the city centre. The palace was built as a residential home of Francesco III d'Este, the Duke of Modena. Today it is the seat of a town administration.
There is huge and beautiful park inside the palace, copy of Schoenbrunn model.

4 more images

Usually I am staying in Varese only day or two and haven't much time to stroll around. All this pictures I have made in occasion of my last visit in January 2003, it was just a quick photo-tour before leaving the place so I didn't catch anything of this church except it name, thechurch of San Vittorio.

4 more images

The Bell-tower of San Vittorio church is the most impressive spot in the town centre. Like in all other Italian towns, there is a Centro storico (historical center) where you can see all what is worth to see.

This is my second journey to this area. I strongly recommend the Italian lakes area, the Dolomites and the Black Forest for road tripping. There are so many charming towns and villages. You get the very best of bothe worlds. The charm of Italians and the efficiency of the Swiss combined. Scenic views, terrific hiking and marvelous food are just some of the treasures to be enjoyed.

This is the passage which connectsThe Main Square and the sqare in front of the cathedral.
The front facade looks like an arch decorated by stone and reliefs. On the top of the passage there are a couple of sculptures.

4 more images

This small and beautiful church is situated rigt behind the cathedral, and next to the Baptistery of the cathedral.
It is probably the oldest church in the town, and according the the look it was built in Romanesque style.

It looks that the Baptistery of the Cathedral have much longer history then the Cathedral alone.
According to it's look, the baptistery was built in the medieval times, probably in the Baroque stayle.

Questo piccolo centro è strettamente collegato a una parte della storia di Castelseprio perché appartenne, dal medioevo alla prima metà del XVI secolo, alla famiglia dei da Castiglione.
Il borgo deve le sue bellezze artistiche soprattutto all’opera del cardinale Branda Castiglioni (1350-1443). Nel primo quarto del XV secolo questi lo ricostruì quasi completamente seguendo i nuovi indirizzi rinascimentali dettati da Filippo Brunelleschi. Gli edifici più importanti sono: il palazzo Branda Castiglioni con belle decorazioni interne tra cui la “Natura morta” attribuita sia a Masolino da Panicale sia a Paolo Schiavo e affreschi di Masolino da Panicale sulle pareti dello studio e della camera del cardinale; la chiesa di Villa che, per le profilature di pietra grigia su intonaco bianco, ha chiari riferimenti all’architettura toscana del Brunelleschi; la Collegiata, situata sulla sommità del colle dove un tempo sorgeva il castello. Fu il primo edificio importante fatto costruire dal cardinale. Molto importanti sono gli stupendi affreschi che narrano la storia della Vergine realizzati da Masolino da Panicale attorno al 1428.

Come raggiungere Castelseprio.
Autostrada Milano Laghi, direzione per Varese, uscita Solbiate.