Territory and population Varese is a town and a province in North-Western Lombardy, 55 km North of Milan. It has an area of 1,199 km 2 and a total population of almost 889,000 inhabitants. Varese, with its 141 municipalities it is the fourth most populous province in Lombardy. It is bordered on the North and East by Switzerland (Canton Ticino), on the East by the province of Como, on the South by the province of Monza and Brianza and the province of Milan, on the West by Piedmont.

The Lakes The lakes are one of the main characteristics of this region, along with the Alps mountains. There are more than TEN LAKES that can be seen from “Campo dei Fiori”, the highest mountain in the region. THE MAIN LAKES OF THE REGION ARE: 1) Lake Maggiore 2) Lake Delio 3) Lake Ceresio 4) Lake of Ganna 5) Lake of Brinzio 6) Lake of Ghirla 7) Lake of Montegrino 8) Lake of Varese 9) Lake of Comabbio 10) Lake of Monate

View of the lakes from the mountain Lake Maggiore Lake of Comabbio Lake of Monate Lake of Biandronno Lake of Varese

Lake of Ghirla Lake of Brinzio Lake of Ganna Lake of Delio Lake of Montegrino

Virginia island In the Lake of Varese there is a very little isle called “Isolino Virginia”. It has a triangular shape and a surface of 9200 m 2. On this isle some archaeologicals remains were found: some important Neolithic lake dwellings sites dating back to 3500 BC. Artifacts were also found, namely, quartz, flint blades, cusps of arrow. Virginia Island Archaeological objects

Islands Morphology Monuments Le Isole Borromee Isola dei Pescatori Isolino di San Giovanni Isolotto della Malghera Isole di Brissago Isola di San Pancrazio Isola di Sant’Apollinare Isolino Partegora Lake Maggiore is located at an altitude of 193 m above sea level and covers an area of 212 km² of which about the 80% is located in the Italian territory and the remaining 20% in Switzerland.  S. Caterina del Sasso (Leggiuno)  Palazzo Borromeo  Castelli di Cannero  Rocca di Angera  Rocca di Caldè

Islands of Lake Maggiore The archipelago of the Borromean Islands lies between Stresa and Verbania: Isola Madre, Isola Bella and Isola Superiore dei Pescatori.The archipelago of the Borromean Islands lies between Stresa and Verbania: Isola Madre, Isola Bella and Isola Superiore dei Pescatori. In front of the Swiss resort of Brissago there are the two Brissago’s Islands.In front of the Swiss resort of Brissago there are the two Brissago’s Islands. ISOLA DEI PESCATORI is the only one to be permanently inhabited. ISOLE DI BRISSAGO The largest island hosts the Botanical Park of Ticino. The other island is preserved in its natural state. ISOLA BELLA “Palazzo Borromeo” was built in Baroque style.

Monuments of Lake Maggiore S.Caterina del Sasso Ballaro An important monument of lake Maggiore is S.Caterina del Sasso Ballaro. It is one of the most important religious sites. It is located on a rock overlooking the lake. The site of S.Caterina was built because a pilgrim went to this place, during the XII century, to live in seclusion and pray.

Angera’s Fortress The fortress was one of the main strategic control of Lake Maggiore in ancient times. The defensive structure of the base of the Rock of Angera dates back to a period prior to the tenth century. The fortress also offers a good view of the Alps and of the lake.

Other castels VISCONTI’S Castles in the region of Varese: The castle was rebuilt in the '600 by the Visconti, not as a fortress but as a residence. CASTLE OF CISLAGO CASTLE OF JERAGO CASTLE OF JERAGO The Castle of Jerago was built in the thirteenth century and in the beginning it was a residence. CASTLE OF SOMMA LOMBARDO CASTLE OF SOMMA LOMBARDO

Other monuments in the region of Varese are: Chiostro of Voltorre, Balia of S. Gemolo, Tower of Velate. Chiostro of Voltorre It was built between 1100 and 1150 in the period of greatest spread of the Cluniac monasteries in Italy; they were abbeys linked hierarchically. The Benedictines stayed in Voltorre, praying, cultivating the land, hosting pilgrims, transcribing and miming codes.

Badia of S.Gemolo San Gemolo was a young soldier, beheaded because of his faith. He was buried in the place where the abbey now stands. According to the legend, he carried his own head being beheaded. It has a pentagonal plan and it was built during the Romanesque period.

The art Nouveau in Varese There are even some monuments built in Art Nouveau style: the most important ones are Palace grand Hotel and the beer house called “Poretti”. The Liberty style can be considered the novelty in the art of the early 1900s and was a great cultural and social innovation.

Thrilling Activities Tourism Sports Free time

Sports Rowing -> Thanks to the wonderful lakes rowing is widely practiced with a lot of international competitions. Cycling-> In the cycle paths which surround the lakes you can see a lot of people cycling. Windsurf-> During summer tourists love to do windsurf in our charming lakes. Swimming -> In most lakes of Varese people can swim as a sport or just for fun.