Bernate Ticino: Churches, History and Nature

Bernate Ticino between Church Art and Nature Observation

Bernate Ticino combines ecclesiastical architecture, archaeological traces, historic buildings and nature observations in the Lombard landscape.

The Chiesa di San Giorgio

At the heart of the cultural experience is the present-day Chiesa di San Giorgio. Its design dates back to the 17th century, while the façade also incorporates remains of an older structure. As a result, different historical layers visibly converge in a single building.

The bell tower is designed in the Late Gothic style and features biforia and small arches. Biforia are divided openings that give the tower a distinctive architectural detail. The Chiesa di San Giorgio also includes a colonnaded crypt with a baptistery dating from the 13th century. More recent restorations returned it to its original furnishings.

Another notable detail is a 14th-century Gothic lunette attributed to Bonino da Campione. It depicts the Madonna, the donor, Saint George and Saint James.

Nature at the Lanca di Bernate

At the Lanca di Bernate, the focus is on observing wildlife. In addition to numerous waterbirds such as coots, moorhens, mallards, teal and wigeons, birds of prey, foxes, hares, hedgehogs, several species of bats and coypus can also be observed there.

There is a car park by the La Ripa woods on the unpaved road from Bernate to the Lanca. A nature trail begins there, allowing for easy and respectful observation of animals and their habitat. From the Lanca di Bernate, a path also leads to a clearing with the Celtic Calendar. In its centre stands a large round granite stone engraved with symbols of the Celtic zodiac; the grassy area is enclosed by the same number of trees, each assigned to the corresponding sign.

Historical Traces in Bernate and Rubone

A visible watchtower from the 15th century has been preserved in Rubone. It probably belonged to the structures used to monitor the Naviglio Grande. Palazzo Visconti is the residential wing of the Canonica and, because of its distinctive forms, is also known as “Castello”. Its main façade faces the Naviglio. The building was constructed in the 15th century as a fortified castle and subsequently converted into a holiday villa.

Santa Maria della Pace in Rubone was probably rebuilt in the 16th century, possibly by modifying an existing 14th-century church, by Tommaso Crivelli, and remodelled in the 18th century. Celtic graves with grave goods dating from the 3rd to the early 2nd century BC, as well as numerous burials from the Roman period, were also discovered in the area of Bernate Ticino. Materials from both excavation campaigns are displayed in a specially designated room at the Museo Civico G. Sutermeister in Legnano.

Getting Around and Arriving

The Movibus Z641 line runs via Castano Primo, Turbigo, Bernate and Magenta.

More Places for Your Travel Planning

Gaggiano, Lissone, Opera, Melegnano, Casarile, Dresano, Colturano and Vanzaghello

Milan.