Sesto Calende, Historical commune in Province of Varese, Italy
Sesto Calende sits at the southern edge of Lake Maggiore, where the Ticino River begins flowing toward the Po. The town spreads across rolling terrain with historic buildings mixed among modern neighborhoods and green spaces reaching down to the riverside.
The Abbey of San Donato took shape between the ninth and tenth centuries and became a spiritual center for the region. In the sixteenth century, painter Bernardino Zenale created a major altarpiece for the church, which still hangs there today.
The town maintains its medieval character through narrow streets and regular markets that shape daily life for residents. People gather in public squares, especially during warmer months, to meet and spend time together.
The town has good train links to Milan and nearby lake destinations, making it easy for visitors to reach other areas. Local restaurants, shops, and services are clustered near the center and along main roads.
The location once hosted an aircraft factory called SIAI-Marchetti that built training planes for military use. Though production ended long ago, some factory buildings still stand as reminders of this industrial past.
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