Varese: Città Giardino [garden city]
The word combination Varese "Città Giardino" [garden city] perfectly describes the blending of art and nature characterizing the city of northwest Lombardy, in the heart of a territory rich of rivers, lakes and green hills, at the foot of the Massiccio del Campo dei Fiori, in the Varesine Prealps. The city became a holiday resort in the XVIII century and a favorite destination of international tourists in early XX century for the construction first of Liberty-style villas and later of rationalist residences. Varese welcomes its visitors as a lively city that merges historical-artistic opportunities to unforgettable views and an appealing life style. Many are the sites worth visiting, among which: Palazzo Estense, Villa Mirabello, Basilica of S. Vittore, Villa Panza, Villa Toepliz, Castle of Masnago, Church of S. Stefano, Isolino Virginia, the Sacred Mount and Casa Museo Lodovico Pogliaghi.