• 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

Sacro Monte Varese

  • Religious Tourism
Sacro Monte di Varese
11.08 km

Casa Museo Lodovico Pogliaghi | Varese Convention & Visitors Bureau

  • Art & Culture
Casa museo Pogliaghi
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

Museo Baroffio e del Santuario del Sacro Monte sopra Varese | Varese Convention & Visitors Bureau

  • Art & Culture
Museo Baroffio e del Santuario del Sacro Monte sopra Varese | Varese Convention & Visitors Bureau
11.13 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

Varese: the old town

  • Lifestyle
Varese: the old town
11.78 km

Palazzo Estense

  • Art & Culture
Palazzo Estense
11.96 km

The Gardens of Palazzo Estense

  • Active & Green
The Gardens of Palazzo Estense
11.98 km

Events

The Gran Fondo Tre Valli Varesine On Road Competition

Varese
05/10/2024 - 06/10/2024
  • Cycle Tourism
The Gran Fondo Tre Valli Varesine On Road Competition
12.04 km

Where to sleep

LA SOLATIA

Porto Ceresio
LA SOLATIA
1.45 km

BOTEL DIFFUSO DEI LAGHI - FORESTERIA

Porto Ceresio
BOTEL DIFFUSO DEI LAGHI - FORESTERIA
1.59 km

APPARTAMENTO FRANCO

Porto Ceresio
APPARTAMENTO FRANCO
1.71 km

HOTEL IL CANNETO

Porto Ceresio
HOTEL IL CANNETO
1.9 km

VILLE LAGO LUGANO - APP. 134

Porto Ceresio
VILLE LAGO LUGANO - APP. 134
2.43 km

VILLE LAGO LUGANO - RES. 116

Porto Ceresio
VILLE LAGO LUGANO - RES. 116
2.43 km

VILLE LAGO LUGANO - APP. 135

Porto Ceresio
VILLE LAGO LUGANO - APP. 135
2.43 km

VILLE LAGO LUGANO - RES. 117

Porto Ceresio
VILLE LAGO LUGANO - RES. 117
2.43 km

VILLE LAGO LUGANO - APP. 124

Porto Ceresio
VILLE LAGO LUGANO - APP. 124
2.43 km

VILLE LAGO LUGANO - APP. 137

Porto Ceresio
VILLE LAGO LUGANO - APP. 137
2.43 km

VILLE LAGO LUGANO - APP. 122

Porto Ceresio
VILLE LAGO LUGANO - APP. 122
2.43 km

VILLE LAGO LUGANO - APP. 132

Porto Ceresio
VILLE LAGO LUGANO - APP. 132
2.43 km

VILLE LAGO LUGANO - APP. 121

Porto Ceresio
VILLE LAGO LUGANO - APP. 121
2.43 km

MICHELANGELO

Saltrio
MICHELANGELO
2.79 km

IL PIOPPO ANTICO

Viggiù
IL PIOPPO ANTICO
3.17 km

L'HELLEBORO B&B

Viggiù
L'HELLEBORO B&B
3.36 km

MOLINO DEL TORCHIO

Cuasso al Monte
MOLINO DEL TORCHIO
3.38 km

HOTEL RISTORANTE ALPINO

Cuasso al Monte
HOTEL RISTORANTE ALPINO
4.1 km

APPARTAMENTO BELVEDERE

Brusimpiano
APPARTAMENTO BELVEDERE
4.11 km

LA RIVA DEGLI ALPACA

Clivio
LA RIVA DEGLI ALPACA
4.69 km