Varese

VARESE - PROPERTY FOR SALE IN LOMBARDY

The first settlement in the Varese area dates back to prehistoric times but it is with the Roman conquest that the city could prosper, thanks to the construction of the Via Varesina that connected it with other important centers of northern Italy (Milan and Lugano in the first place).

In the Middle Ages, the city took part in the struggles between Como and Milan and actively participated in the fight against Frederick I Barbarossa, which ended with the battle of Legnano (1176). In the 14th century, Varese established its own government and maintained a successful autonomy alongside the powerful families of northern Italy. The period of maximum prosperity for Varese was under the Este family, when the city became a renowned and sought holiday resort.

With the advent of the Austrians, Varese became the capital of the homonym Lombard province, only to be then downgraded by the French in 1801 to vice-prefecture.

With the Congress of Vienna, the village returned to the Austrians who elevated it to the rank of city and included in the province of Como. On 26 May 1859, Varese participated in the victory of the Garibaldi troops on the Austrian troops of General Karl von Urban and a few days later (4 June) of the Magenta victory, which marked the defeat of Austria and the liberation of Lombardy.

The unification of Italy was a real throw-away pad for the city, which established itself with industries and witnessed an unprecedented demographic explosion.

The historical and artistic heritage of the city is remarkable and includes churches and palaces of rare beauty: the Collegiate Church of San Vittore, Sant'Antonio alla Motta, the Church of the Madonnina in Prato, the Sacro Monte of Varese, Villa Andrea Ponti, Villa Menafoglio and the Palazzo Pretorio.