Castles and Villas in Lombardy
3 Days / 2 Nights
Day 1: Pavia
Arrival in the afternoon. Tour of the Oasis of Sant’Alessio (PV)
An incredible natural and faunistic oasis stretches around a medieval Castle
(10th – 15th C.). The oasis is a reproduction of the typical environments
of the Po Plain, the rain forest and the Amazonian forest. A 2 km long tour
in the natural environment gives the opportunity to watch storks, ibises, spoonbills,
pikes, three-toed sloth and beavers without disturbing their ecosystems. All
the species are part of targeted re-population projects. A meadow full of flowers
attracts hordes of butterflies. Explonatura, an interactive exhibition, where
visitors will not only observe but also re-create biological, chemical and meteorological
phenomena, will be opening soon inside the Castle. Accomodation in a beautiful
castle in the Pavia area. Dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Varese
Breakfast. Departure to Villa Menafoglio Litta Panza in Biumo Superiore (VA)
This splendid entertainment residence built around the mid 18th C. for the
Marquis Paolo Antonio Menafoglio is surrounded by a vast park that in springtime
blossoms in thousands of different colours and nuances. At the beginning of
the 19th C. the Vila was bought by the Duke Pompeo Litta Visconti Arese. He
ordered the neo-classical architect Luigi Canonicato build a new wing for a
grand dining room. The Villa was sold again in the 30’s to the Count Panza
di Biumo. It currently hosts an impressive Collection of contemporary art of
over 2,500 pieces , including world-famous works of art coming from some of
the most important museums in the world. Since 1996 the Villa belongs to the
FAI, which has started a substantial restoration work to turn the Villa from
a private dwelling place into a public museum.
Tour of the Rocca Borromeo di Angera (VA)
The fortress, built on an ancient Roman stronghold, became a property of the
Archbishop in the 11th C. In 1499 the Ambrosian Republic sold it to the Borromeo
family, who still owns it today. The Courtroom (Sala di Giustizia) is decorated
with 14th C. frescoes. The tower called Castellana offers a beautiful view on
the vast Arona lake, the Pre-Alps and the Alps. In 1988 the first Italian Dolls
Museum was opened in the fortress. It includes 1,000 dolls and other objects
connected with the theme of games and childhood from the private collection
of the princess Bona Borromeo, as well as from donations and constant acquisitions..
Lunch at a typical restaurant in Angera.
In the afternoon we continue the visit tof the Borromeo Place in Cesano Maderno,
where the first floor, with frescoes by the main Lombard painters of the 17th
C., has recently been re-opened after substantial restoration works.
Palace Borromeo Arese was planned by Giulio Arese at the beginning of the 17th
C. to celebrate the glory of his family. It is a grand example of architecture
developed in consecutive phases, where the elegant exterior forms are matched
by the abundant and majestic decoration of the interior. The grave facade with
the wide Esedra Court, the elegant internal courtyard , with the aerial added
loggia are the appropriate prelude to the rooms with the frescoes of the main
Lombard painters of the time. Artists like Procaccini, Montalto, Nuvolone have
painted, upon order of the Arese and the Borromeo, masterpieces as the Courtroom
(Salone della Giustizia), Aurora’s room and the Gallery of the Statues.
These room are now open to the public thank to substantial restoration works.
The spectacular Italian garden on the back of the palace completes the perspective
design adding a touch of colour with its beautiful roses.
The magnificent Ninfeo or "Cave of the wonders", ordered by Bartolomeo
III Arese in the 1660’s as the gem of his sumptuous summer residence,
will open in May. The Ninfeo, consists of 4 rooms decorated with series of allegorical
frescoes and mosaics of white and black cobbles creating geometrical and flower
patterns. This is a “magic” place where nature and culture, science
and poetry harmoniously interact arousing wonder and astonishment in the visitor.
Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Milan.
Day 3
Breakfast in Hotel. Departure
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