Besozzo Between Lakes, Baroque and Historic Paths

Besozzo Between Lakes and Hilly Landscapes

Besozzo lies between Lake Varese and Lake Maggiore in a hilly landscape. The Bardello stream flows through the town. This location combines different landscape features with a watercourse that is an integral part of Besozzo’s geographic setting. Anyone wishing to combine culture, historic places and paths in a hilly environment during a trip to northern Italy will find several themes here that can be explored independently and incorporated into their personal itinerary.

Churches, Baroque and Medieval Traces

The Church of Saints Alessandro and Tiburzio was rebuilt between 1618 and 1686 and is an example of Lombard Baroque. Its interior is richly decorated with paintings and stucco. The barrel vault is covered with frescoes, while the wooden pulpit and wooden choir are also artistically carved.

Besozzo Superiore preserves buildings that were inhabited by the noble Besozzi and Castelbesozzo families during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The Church of Sant'Antonio already existed in the 15th century and was restored toward the end of the 18th century. The Oratorio di San Nicone contains frescoes and decorative works left by noble families from the surrounding area. The saint’s mortal remains are kept in a display case above the main altar. Together, these places offer insight into different phases of the local religious and aristocratic history.

Il Faro also commemorates the town’s past. The war memorial, erected after the First World War, is dedicated to Besozzo’s 68 fallen soldiers and the 49 fallen soldiers from the formerly independent districts. Construction began in 1923.

Events at the Teatro Duse

The Teatro Duse was established as a multipurpose hall in 2007 and has 224 seats. Since 2007, the Teatro Duse has hosted performances of various kinds, concerts, graduation ceremonies and lectures. The hall thus complements the historic churches and buildings with a venue where different forms of cultural life come together.

Paths Through the Landscape and Industrial History

The Sentiero del Verbano crosses Besozzo and is part of the Vie Verdi dei Laghi. This route runs from Sesto Calende through ten municipalities to Laveno Mombello. For travel planning, this route can be considered together with the hilly landscape and the location between Lake Varese and Lake Maggiore.

The Sentiero dei Mulini, route VVL-F1, is 16.2 kilometers long. It uses Besozzo as a central hub and connects historic factory complexes and ice houses between Monvalle, Brebbia and Bardello. The route thus establishes a link between the landscape, waterways and industrial heritage. Cycle paths and walking routes also connect Besozzo with the route around Lake Varese and provide links toward Valcuvia as far as Luino.

The decommissioned Cotonificio Cantoni–Copertificio Sonnino is part of the area’s industrial history. The system of locks and the footbridge over the Bardello have been preserved there. Those wishing to include natural-history topics as well can consider the Museo Geologico Naturalistico L. Brunella; visits are available by prior arrangement.

More Destinations for Your Travel Plans

Ternate, Arcumeggia, Capolago, Marnate, Bodio Lomnago, Carnago, Germignaga and Cantello

For the main travel overview: Varese.