Monte Grappa square is characterized by a rationalistic architecture: in order to build it, it was decided to raze the late-medieval nucleus of the town to the ground. From the central square, a pedestrian area departs leading us to Piazza Carducci: along the way we encounter the picturesque Piazzetta del Podestà, with its famous Monumento del Garibaldino. A few footsteps away, we find the Cloister of S.Antonino, originally part of a Benedictine monastery founded in 1578, consisting in a portico supported by double columns, which still show visible traces of coeval frescoes. Moving towards the “Castellanze”, we will come across wonderful villas and noble residences. Among these, in Castellanza Casbeno, Villa Recalcati deserves a particular mention. It was edified during the Eighteenth century, and nowadays it hosts the Province of Varese and the Prefecture offices. Another prestigious building is certainly Villa Toeplitz, in locality Sant’Ambrogio, at the foot of the renowned Sacro Monte: a destination for several tourists because of its quaint Italian style gardens, which not uncommonly host woodpeckers and squirrels. Another architectural complex of great importance is Masnago Castle. Edified between the Middle Ages and the Eighteenth century, today it has the appearance of an elegant noble residence, though it was originally designed to be a fortified defensive structure.

The Hall of Leisure and the Hall of Vices and Virtues are enriched with precious frescoes attributable to the international Gothic art movement. The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is housed in the complex as well. It is also recommended to visit Ville Ponti, in Biumo Superiore: dating back to the second half of the Nineteenth century and designed by architect Giuseppe Balzaretto, today it hosts another Estense Palace, which is a congress centre. Beside it we admire Villa Menafoglio Litta Panza, whose over three hectares park hosts an Italian-style garden and some English-style areas. Its rooms and stables exhibit a collection of contemporary art formerly belonging to the Panza family, consisting also of some site-specific installations. From year 1996 on, its environment is safeguarded from organization FAI and it hosts art exhibitions of international interest.  It is also worth mentioning Villa Augusta (in Giubiano) and Villa Baragiola, with its rich English-style gardens.

image credits - riccardo lupo