Fortresses and castles
As a frontier land, Varese is punctuated with fortresses and castles, which, having lost their defensive function, became delicious places where to spend some peaceful days.
Fortresses and castles rise high on the hills: once inaccessible, today they are available for anyone who wishes to capture their architectural and artistic beauties.
The itinerary begins in the lowest part of the Province of Varese, where to discover the Visconti Castles of Cislago - with the town’s typical U form-, of Fagnano Olona - which still preserves a remarkable historical tower-, of Jerago and of Somma Lombardo.
Few kilometers off we find the Masnago Castle, today hosting the Contemporary Art Gallery of Varese, and a little further, the Tower of Velate, whose origins date back to the Eleventh century. We can then move to Induno Olona, to discover the castle Medici di Marignano, with its inner high quality and remarkable manufacture furniture.
In Angera, the magnificent Rocca Borromeo rises upon a rocky spur from which it is possible to admire a splendid foreshortening of Lake Maggiore. Inside the Rocca, the prestigious Museo della Bambola (Doll Museum) gathers wooden and tin toys, books and journals for kids, and iconographic material from Eighteenth century until today.
image credits - riccardo lupo
- Experiences in Varese
- Fortresses and castles
Focus
Rocca Borromeo
- Art & Culture
![Rocca Borromeo Rocca Borromeo](https://www.varesedoyoulake.it/sites/default/files/styles/card_bg_full_h/public/luogo/images/96936/6101/id261_rocca-borromeo_angera_01_fotolia.jpg?itok=44xHLwkW)
Visconteo Castle
- Art & Culture
![Visconteo Castle Visconteo Castle](https://www.varesedoyoulake.it/sites/default/files/styles/card_bg_h/public/luogo/images/96985/6164/castello_visconteo_fagnano_olona.jpg?itok=APiAnZgX)
Castel Visconti Castelbarco
- Art & Culture
![Castel Visconti Castelbarco Castel Visconti Castelbarco](https://www.varesedoyoulake.it/sites/default/files/styles/card_bg_h/public/luogo/images/96982/6152/senza-titolo-1.jpg?itok=Hxny_iEf)
Borromeo Castle, the Museum of Children’s Clothing and the Doll and Toy Museum
- Art & Culture
![Borromeo Castle, the Museum of Children’s Clothing and the Doll and Toy Museum Borromeo Castle, the Museum of Children’s Clothing and the Doll and Toy Museum](https://www.varesedoyoulake.it/sites/default/files/styles/card_bg_full_h/public/luogo/images/97130/7175/angera-3526660_1280.jpg?itok=hV20hvI3)
Castelseprio Archaeological Park - Church of Santa Maria Foris Portas - Santa Maria Assunta
- Unesco Sites
![Castelseprio Archaeological Park - Church of Santa Maria Foris Portas - Santa Maria Assunta Castelseprio Archaeological Park - Church of Santa Maria Foris Portas - Santa Maria Assunta](https://www.varesedoyoulake.it/sites/default/files/styles/card_bg_h/public/luogo/images/96956/7177/area-archeologica-e-antiquarium-di-castelseprio.jpg?itok=QKhIvzHK)
Monastero di torba
- Unesco Sites
![Monastero di torba Monastero di Torba](https://www.varesedoyoulake.it/sites/default/files/styles/card_bg_h/public/luogo/images/96962/6138/23853.jpg?itok=T2X6r8JF)
Castiglione Olona A Piece of Tuscany in Lombardy
- Villages
![Castiglione Olona A Piece of Tuscany in Lombardy Tour to Castiglione Olona](https://www.varesedoyoulake.it/sites/default/files/styles/card_bg_h/public/luogo/images/97006/6219/16818.jpg?itok=Pg43GhUU)
Castello di Caidate
- Rocche e castelli
![Castello di Caidate Castello di Caidate](https://www.varesedoyoulake.it/sites/default/files/styles/card_bg_h/public/luogo/images/99385/7387/castello-caidate.jpg?itok=h1jeIoij)
Forte di Orino
- Rocche e castelli
![Forte di Orino Forte di Orino](https://www.varesedoyoulake.it/sites/default/files/styles/card_bg_full_h/public/luogo/images/99386/7388/rocca-di-orino-i-fantasmi-abitano-qui-la-rocca-di-orino-tra-storia-e-leggenda_51263.jpg?itok=gfnLnrNc)
Castello di Monteruzzo
- Rocche e castelli
![Castello di Monteruzzo Castello di Monteruzzo](https://www.varesedoyoulake.it/sites/default/files/styles/card_bg_h/public/luogo/images/99387/7399/castiglione_olona_castello_di_monteruzzo_03.jpg?itok=mNtEIAF_)