Gallarate: Art, Churches and Local Traditions

Gallarate between Art and History

Gallarate reveals its distinctive character above all through art, sacred architecture and traditional local customs. The Museo MA*GA is a museum of contemporary art. MA*GA was officially founded in 1966 under the name Civica Galleria d’Arte Moderna di Gallarate. Modern art is therefore just as much a part of the city’s cultural profile as the older buildings and collections visible in other parts of Gallarate.

Archaeology in the Historic Monastery

The Museo della Società Gallaratese per gli Studi Patri is located in the surviving section of a Franciscan monastery built in 1234. Roman sarcophagi and a sarcophagus lid, as well as medieval materials, are displayed in the Gothic cloister with its portico. The first archaeological room houses prehistoric finds from the pile-dwelling settlements in the Varesotto area, as well as a dugout canoe from Lago di Monate. During excavations in the apse area of the Chiesa di San Pietro in the 1960s, several graves containing some grave goods were uncovered; these are now kept in the Museo della Società Gallaratese per gli Studi Patri. This site thus brings together different periods, from prehistory to the Middle Ages.

Churches and Historic Buildings

The Chiesa di San Pietro has largely preserved its original Romanesque structure, with Gothic elements added later. The present Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta was built in the Neoclassical style between 1856 and 1860, designed by the Milanese architect Giacomo Moraglia, and consecrated in 1861. It is Gallarate’s central church. The earlier church dedicated to Santa Maria later became known as “Faietto”; it is already mentioned in a document from 974. These different layers of construction and history give the city’s sacred architecture a clearly discernible historical depth.

The Palazzo del Broletto is also among Gallarate’s older landmarks: it was built in the 13th century as a monastery of the Umiliati di San Michele. The Cimitero Monumentale was laid out from 1865 according to designs by the architect Camillo Boito and planned around the large funerary chapel of the Ponti family. Some tombs are attributed to the Liberty style. The city’s architectural spectrum therefore extends from Romanesque and Gothic elements to Neoclassical forms and later styles of art-historical significance.

Tradition, Pastries and a Green Contrast

The Cuntrada dal Broeud reflects a distinctive local character. It is a tradition that has been maintained in Gallarate for sixty years: on the first Sunday after the Feast of Madonna del Carmine, broth made from meat and vegetables is distributed to the faithful in the square of the Basilica di Santa Maria after being blessed by the parish priest. The Amaretto di Gallarate is also part of the city’s culinary identity. This pastry is made exclusively by hand, is soft inside, crisp on the outside and slightly flattened in shape. The Parco Bassetti, a botanical garden, provides a contrasting green setting.

When choosing your hotel, you can therefore consider Gallarate according to your personal interests: contemporary art, archaeological evidence, churches, historic buildings, a living tradition, handmade pastries or a botanical garden each provide a distinct focus for planning your trip.

Discover More Places

For further options in the same region, you can find Ceriano, Monvalle, Corgeno, Fagnano Olona, Valganna, Somma Lombardo, Albizzate and Capolago here.

To the higher-level travel overview: Varese.