UNESCO sites between Como and Varese
A journey through archaeology, art and lakeside landscapes
During your stay in Mozzate, you can spend a few days exploring these destinations, choosing from archaeological tours, art trails and walks through the countryside. Castelseprio and the Monastery of Torba, the Sacred Mountain of Varese, Monte San Giorgio and Isolino Virginia offer different perspectives on the Varese area. On Lake Como, the Sacred Mountain of Ossuccio offers a route through chapels, olive groves and views of the water.
What does it mean to visit a UNESCO site?
This is the case with serial sites: Castelseprio and Torba form part of a group of Lombard heritage sites scattered across Italy; Varese and Ossuccio are part of the Sacred Mountains of Piedmont and Lombardy; and Isolino Virginia is included among the Prehistoric Pile-Dwelling Sites of the Alpine Arc. Visiting these destinations therefore means discovering a specific place whilst, at the same time, understanding its connection to a broader history.
Castelseprio and the Monastery of Torba: evidence from the Early Middle Ages
The Castelseprio Archaeological Park
In Castelseprio, the ruins nestled amongst the greenery reveal traces of an ancient fortified settlement, which was of great importance from late antiquity through to the Middle Ages. The remains of the buildings and defensive structures help us to visualise the layout of the settlement and the role it played in controlling the surrounding territory.
Among the most significant remains are those of the Basilica of St John the Evangelist and the Church of Santa Maria foris portas, built outside the city walls. The latter preserves a famous cycle of frescoes dedicated to the childhood of Christ, which is fundamental to our understanding of early medieval painting.
The visit will appeal to archaeology enthusiasts, but also to anyone wishing to understand how the area has changed over the centuries by observing the traces left in the landscape.
The Monastery of Torba
At the foot of the Castelseprio hill, the Monastery of Torba preserves a tower that formed part of the ancient defensive system. The complex later became the home of a community of nuns: the rooms and the paintings in the tower bear witness to this change.
The Church of Santa Maria, the monastery’s buildings and the surrounding greenery make Torba a perfect complement to a visit to Castelseprio. The site is now managed by the FAI, which safeguards its heritage and promotes awareness of it.
The two visits can be combined on the same day, allowing sufficient time at each location to appreciate their differences and historical links.
Sacro Monte di Varese: chapels, village and sanctuary
The Viale delle Cappelle (Avenue of Chapels) leads the way up to the hamlet of Santa Maria del Monte. Along the route, fourteen chapels recount the mysteries of the Rosary through painted scenes and groups of statues. The walk culminates at the sanctuary, which houses the fifteenth stage of the narrative.
The visit proceeds through a series of stops: visitors can observe the scenes in the chapels, appreciate the architectural details and discover different views as they climb. Once at the top, the village invites visitors to continue through the narrow streets and passageways clustered around the sanctuary.
The Sacred Mountain can form the centrepiece of a day dedicated to this part of the Varese area, or be combined with a selection of sites in the city.
Monte San Giorgio: a natural heritage site straddling Italy and Switzerland
The rocks contain fossils of organisms that lived in an ancient tropical marine environment: fish, reptiles and invertebrates, along with evidence from the nearby mainland. The quality of preservation and the wealth of finds have made this area an international benchmark for palaeontology.
Discovering the area through fossils
The appeal of Monte San Giorgio extends far beyond its views and walking trails. To fully appreciate it, it is worth combining an exploration of the landscape with a discovery of the collections and trails dedicated to its geological history.
On the Swiss side, the Meride Fossil Museum offers an in-depth look at the mountain’s palaeontological heritage. The Italian side, too, with Besano and its historic research sites, plays an important role in understanding this environment of the past.
It is an ideal destination for those wishing to complement their artistic and archaeological visits with an experience focused on the natural sciences, choosing a route based on the time available and which side of the mountain they wish to explore.
Isolino Virginia: prehistory on Lake Varese
Its significance stems from the long history of the settlement and the preservation of the traces left by prehistoric communities. The finds enable us to study the relationship between the inhabitants and the lake, their daily activities and the changes the settlement underwent over time.
An island where you can learn about the lives of early communities
The island’s intimate landscape helps one imagine just how important water was to the lives of its inhabitants: a resource with which they had to coexist, adapting spaces and buildings to changes in the environment.
The archaeological heritage can be explored through the island itself, the educational trail and the small Prehistoric Museum, depending on the access options available. One should not imagine an entire village of stilt houses still standing: the value of the site lies above all in the preserved artefacts and the information that research has made it possible to reconstruct.
To learn more about the prehistory of the area, you can combine this visit with a trip to the Archaeological Museum of Villa Mirabello in Varese, where artefacts from Isolino are also on display.
Sacro Monte di Ossuccio: a UNESCO route on Lake Como
Fourteen chapels line the route dedicated to the mysteries of the Rosary. Statues and frescoes weave a narrative that unfolds along the ascent, whilst openings in the landscape offer views of the lake and Isola Comacina.
Here, the interplay between art and the environment takes on a different character compared to Varese: the olive trees, the hillside and the presence of the lake are all part of the visitor experience and the relationship between the buildings and the surrounding area.
Ossuccio is well worth a day’s visit to the western shore of Lake Como. You could include it in an itinerary around the Tremezzina area, selecting just a few stops to allow time both for the chapel trail and for exploring the lakeside villages.
UNESCO itineraries to choose from during your stay
A day out between Castelseprio and Torba
This is the most straightforward combination for gaining a deeper understanding of the history of the fortified settlement and its transformation. The two destinations complement one another: the archaeological site gives a sense of the scale of the old town centre, whilst Torba preserves buildings and settings that allow visitors to trace some of its historical developments.
Sacro Monte and the city of Varese
You could spend part of the day exploring the Viale delle Cappelle and the village of Santa Maria del Monte, followed by a stroll through the centre of Varese or the Giardini Estensi. If you’d also like to visit the Sacro Monte museums, it’s best to set aside more time for the complex.
Prehistory between Isolino Virginia and Villa Mirabello
Isolino and the Varese Archaeological Museum offer two complementary perspectives: the context of the ancient settlement and the artefacts that help us understand daily life there. The itinerary should be planned taking into account the availability of transport links to the island and access to the museum sites.
A day on Monte San Giorgio or in Ossuccio
These are two different walks, to be undertaken separately. Monte San Giorgio allows you to focus on the natural history and landscape of Lake Lugano; Ossuccio combines a devotional pilgrimage with the chance to explore part of Lake Como.
Villa dei Ricordi: your stay in Mozzate
Villa dei Ricordi, in Mozzate, offers you a base from which to explore the UNESCO sites and other destinations between Como and Varese. You can alternate between days spent exploring archaeological sites, walking in the countryside and visiting towns, choosing a different itinerary each time.
The Senza Tempo and Il Rifugio Bianco and L’Antico Ingresso each offer a distinct take on the rooms of this historic residence. When you return from your excursions, you’ll find a space where you can relax and enjoy your stay at your own pace.
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