Province of Varese, Administrative division in northern Lombardy, Italy
The Province of Varese is an administrative division in the northern part of Lombardy, positioned between Milan and the Swiss border. It covers a hilly area with several lakes, wooded slopes, and small towns distributed along valleys and shorelines.
Roman settlements grew here because of the strategic position near Alpine crossings, with fortresses like Castelseprio securing the trade routes. During the Middle Ages the Visconti family took control and integrated the area into their Lombard rule.
The name comes from the main town, which served for centuries as a trading post between Milan and the Alpine passes. Visitors today find many pilgrimage sites such as Sacro Monte di Varese, where pilgrims walk uphill past small chapels.
Hiking trails cross the wooded hills and connect villages, with many routes following lakeshores and offering easy walking. In summer the waterfront promenades fill with visitors, while the inland areas provide a quiet retreat even during poor weather.
Near Lake Maggiore the fortress of Angera sits on a rock overlooking the water, with medieval frescoes still decorating the inner walls. The nearby archaeological area of Castelseprio preserves remains of a Lombard settlement with a small eighth-century church.
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