BY BUS – VARESE VARESE (HISTORIC HEART AND GARDENS OF PALACE ESTENSE), SACRO MONTE, HERMITAGE OF S. CATERINA DEL SASSO, CLOISTER OF VOLTORRE – FULL DAY
The “Garden City” of Varese boasts numerous parks and gardens adjacent to villas and palaces built between the 18th and the beginning of the 20th century, among those Estense Palace starting point of the walking route to enjoy the historic center with the Basilica of San Vittore and baptistery of St. John the Baptist, the oldest civic monument. The Municipal Palace of 1570, Avenue Matteotti with many buildings of the 17th and 18th centuries, the Church of S. Antonio Abate and on the hilltops Mirabella the eponymous Villa home of museums
We head to the Unesco site of the Sacred Mount of Varese, spirituality, art and nature in a complex that includes various religious buildings, a 2 Km route, very sloping, for those who wish a more intimate approach to faith and great landscapes views. The Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso overlooking Lake Maggiore exudes Holiness and mysticism, embedded in white limestone rock, admiring a danse with macabre scenes in the “Conventino” suspended between rock and water.
On the way back, a glimpse at the Benedictine cloister of Voltorre, Church and Bell Tower : the complex dates back to 1154.
OPTIONAL ADMISSION TICKETS/SERVICES, not included :
Civic Museums
Palaces and other monuments
Private Bus
Lunch