From Saronno to Tradate

An itinerary among parks, forests and castles in the Southeastern part of the Province.

The Sanctuary Beata Vergine dei Miracoli in Saronno, the most densely populated city in the Province of Varese, is well worth a visit. We may then head for Cislago, to see its marvelous Castel Visconti Castelbarco, a country residence built on the ruins of an ancient medieval fortress. Not far off lies the forest of Rugareto, a Nature Reserve where with a little luck we may sight squirrels, owls and woodpeckers that inhabit this flourishing and watered by three streams ecosystem. Apart from the Nature Reserve we might visit the Municipality of Fagnano Olona, and especially its Sanctuary Madonna della Selva and its Castello Visconteo, whose first nucleus dates back to the Roman Era and which today hosts the town hall.

Those who wish may travel westwards to Cassano Magnago, known for its Castle Visconti dal Pozzo. Otherwise, we may continue northwards to Cairate and stop over at a monastery dedicated to S. Maria Assunta: founded in year 737, it was recently subject to restructuring operations and today it is under UNESCO protection. From here, we head for Castelseprio, to pay a visit to its archaeological area, also under UNESCO’s safeguard: it is a complex of Roman origins, situated up a hill whose slopes host the abbey of Torba, safeguarded by Organization FAI.

Carrying on our journey northwards, we reach Castiglione Olona, whose historical and architectural testimony ranges from the Longobard period to the Napoleonic Era. We then quit our discovery of the southlands of the Province in Tradate, with its ancient churches, and the Pinewood Regional Park of Appiano Gentile and Tradate, including a Scientific Didactic Center created with the purpose of stimulating and spreading the love for natural environments and for their safeguard.