Varese is a city that has been one of the favorite places of rest of Milan's elite since the 18th century. There are many former villas and gardens here. The Sacro Monte rises above the city, a hill with a 17th-century chapel.
Sacro Monte belongs to a group of nine Piedmont and Lombardy calvaries, built in the 16th and 17th centuries on the region's hills. They have been included in the UNESCO list since 2003. The Calvary in Varese includes the Sanctuary and 15 rosary chapels dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary.
The main attractions of Varese also include the local villas and summer palaces surrounded by gardens, built since the 17th century by the Italian aristocracy. They were attracted by the mild climate, beautiful views of the alpine foothills and the proximity of Lake Varese. The most famous are the Estensi Gardens surrounding the palace of the d'Este family. The park is divided into sectors, among which you can distinguish a French garden with a regular, geometric plan and a romantic English park.
