• Unesco Sites
    • Mountains

Monte San Giorgio

Where
Provincia di Varese - Svizzera
Contacts

Monte San Giorgio sits in the middle of Italy and Switzerland. The Italian side of Monte San Giorgio became part of Unesco's World Heritage Sites in 2010 while the Swiss half has been since 2003.

There are ten Unesco Sites in Lombardy, people who love to visit mountains and amateur geologists will appreciate the rich history this territory holds, plenty of evidences of past eras.

This elevation is located between Pavese and Canton Ticino, surrounded by the southern fronts of Lake Lugano, reaching an altitude of 1097 meters.

Early excavations made in the 1800s by paleontologists from both countries unearthed exceptionally preserved fossils that dated back to 200 million years ago. Although some internationally famous grounds allow visitors to watch only one shell rock level and consequently the animal species trapped in it, here they can see  up to 5 different levels and follow the evolution of certain lifeforms along several ages.

Such findings include invertebrates, reptiles, fish and plants, exhibited at the dedicated Museums of Meride and Bessano, plus a geo-paleontological trail that leads enthusiasts to numerous excavation spots. 

You can also practice trekking in one of many paths, available for amateurs and experts, or admire the Alpine landscape and the plains of Lombardy at the top.


Opening hours

Il Museo dei fossili di Besano si trova in:
Via Prestini 5, Besano (VA)
museo@comune.besano.va.it
+ 39 333 7849836

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Per maggiori infomazioni sul Monte San Giorgio, visita anche il sito Unesco

Take me here: Monte San Giorgio

Places

Mount Orsa

  • Active & Green
Mount Orsa
1.52 km

Lake Lugano

Lago di origine glaciale, è un ricco sito di giacimenti fossiliferi, in particolare in prossimità del Monte San Giorgio
  • Rivers
Lake Lugano
1.98 km

Badia di Ganna

  • Religious Tourism
Badia di Ganna
7.65 km

Ghirla Hammer

  • Art & Culture
Ghirla Hammer
8.58 km

Induno Olona

Important in the past due to its numerous factories, Induno still retains a certain historical-industrial relevance today
  • Art & Culture
Induno Olona
8.63 km

Birrificio Angelo Poretti

  • Lifestyle
Birrificio Angelo Poretti
10.09 km

Villa e Parco Toeplitz

  • Art & Culture
Villa e Parco Toeplitz
10.84 km

Sacri Monti in Piedmont and Lombardy

  • Unesco Sites
Sacro Monte di Varese
11.06 km

Castiglioni Museum

Un affascinante viaggio tra archeologia e etnologia, tra deserto e savana, tra mito e realtà
  • Art & Culture
Castiglioni Museum
11.08 km

Casa Museo Lodovico Pogliaghi | Varese Convention & Visitors Bureau

  • Art & Culture
Casa museo Pogliaghi
11.1 km

Sacro Monte of Varese

Perched on a hill with breathtaking views, Sacro Monte di Varese has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2003.
  • Unesco Sites
Suggestive view of the tenth chapel of Sacro Monte di Varese, with the arch in the foreground, reflecting the artistic and spiritual beauty of this UNESCO site
11.1 km

Lodovico Pogliaghi House Museum

Visit the Pogliaghi House Museum at Sacro Monte di Varese: discover art and history in one of the most fascinating museums in Varese.
  • Art & Culture
Hedges of the garden and entrance gate of the Lodovico Pogliaghi House Museum at Sacro Monte di Varese on a sunny day.
11.1 km

Ville Ponti

An ancient residential complex owned by a Ponti’s family and now an efficient Congress Centre, property of Varese Chamber of Commerce.
  • Ville e giardini
Ville Ponti
11.12 km

Villa Panza in Varese

A journey through contemporary art and history
  • Ville e giardini
Frontal photograph of Villa Panza in Varese at sunset. The villa’s elegant façade, with green shutters and large windows, is framed by a manicured garden and a central stone pathway leading to the entrance. The atmosphere is peaceful, with soft lighting creating a warm, inviting ambiance.
11.12 km

Baroffio and Sanctuary Museum

Discover one of the museums of Santa Maria del Monte in Varese: A treasure of art bridging history and modernity
  • Art & Culture
Museum Baroffio Entrance Facade and View of Lake Varese
11.32 km

Villa Torelli Mylius

  • Ville e giardini
Villa Torelli Mylius
11.54 km

Cloister of S. Antonino

One of the most historic places in the centre of Varese, known for the spring blossoming of azalee.
  • Art & Culture
Chiostro di Sant'Antonino - Varese
11.71 km

Waterfalls | Varese Convention & Visitors Bureau

  • Active & Green
Cascate Varese
11.72 km

Basilica di San Vittore

Entering the historical core, walking through the streets of the center you'll be enchanted by the vision of the Basilica
  • Religious Tourism
Basilica di San Vittore, Churches of Varese
11.77 km

Arco Mera and Basilica of San Vittore

  • Lifestyle
View of the ceiling of Arco Mera with some zodiac signs and the dome of the Basilica of San Vittore in Varese
11.78 km

Where to sleep

MAJOR SISTERS, APPARTAMENTO VISTA LAGO DI LUGANO

Porto Ceresio
MAJOR SISTERS, APPARTAMENTO VISTA LAGO DI LUGANO
1.48 km

B&B Dolce Vita al Lago

PORTO CERESIO
B&B Dolce Vita al Lago
1.53 km

Loc. T. Porto C. via Garibaldi 14 sub. 501

PORTO CERESIO
Loc. T. Porto C. via Garibaldi 14 sub. 501
1.59 km

Botel Diffuso Dei Laghi - Foresteria

Porto Ceresio
Botel Diffuso Dei Laghi - Foresteria
1.6 km

Foresteria VILLA RINA

PORTO CERESIO
Foresteria VILLA RINA
1.61 km

HOTEL IL CANNETO

Porto Ceresio
HOTEL IL CANNETO
1.9 km

Foresteria LAGO SERENO

PORTO CERESIO
Foresteria LAGO SERENO
2.23 km

VILLE LAGO LUGANO - RES. 117

Porto Ceresio
VILLE LAGO LUGANO - RES. 117
2.43 km

VILLE LAGO LUGANO - APP. 122

Porto Ceresio
VILLE LAGO LUGANO - APP. 122
2.43 km

VILLE LAGO LUGANO - RES. 116

Porto Ceresio
VILLE LAGO LUGANO - RES. 116
2.43 km

VILLA LAGO LUGANO

Porto Ceresio
VILLA LAGO LUGANO
2.43 km

Villa Carolina

BESANO
Villa Carolina
2.83 km

Residenza Deluxe 115

PORTO CERESIO
Residenza Deluxe 115
3.08 km

IL PIOPPO ANTICO

Viggiù
IL PIOPPO ANTICO
3.17 km

Loc. Tur. Zerbinati sub. 501

CUASSO AL MONTE
Loc. Tur. Zerbinati sub. 501
3.36 km

Villa Alceo

VIGGIÙ
Villa Alceo
3.36 km

L'HELLEBORO B&B

Viggiù
L'HELLEBORO B&B
3.36 km

Loc. Tur. Mina Viggiu

VIGGIÙ
Loc. Tur. Mina Viggiu
3.45 km

L.T. Brusimpiano via Varese 94

BRUSIMPIANO
L.T. Brusimpiano via Varese 94
3.47 km

CORTE PICASASS

Viggiù
CORTE PICASASS
3.6 km