Mercallo: Churches, Bird Resting Area and Cycling Tour along Two Lakes

Mercallo can be explored through several clearly identifiable themes: sacred architecture, historical traces, nature observation and cycling. This creates a destination that combines cultural impressions with time spent outdoors and a specific tour idea. The individual locations provide different points of connection for your stay.

Sacred Architecture in Mercallo

In the Chiesa di San Giovanni Evangelista, the main altar of the older church preserves an 18th-century example made of carved, painted and gilded wood with polychrome scagliola. The church was last reconstructed toward the end of the 19th century. During this process, the building was enlarged and given a different orientation. Here, architectural history and furnishings are closely connected, making the church an informative place for anyone who wants to view sacred architecture through more than just its external form.

The Chiesa dell’Addolorata, also known as Madonna dei Sette Dolori, has a single-nave layout, a rectangular presbytery and a flat, circular dome.

Historical Traces and Bird Resting Area

The Vecchia Fornace Colombo was founded at the beginning of the 20th century and retains its original tall terracotta chimney. This structure reveals another part of the town’s history: alongside the churches, a preserved industrial element also represents Mercallo’s historical development.

The only pile-dwelling settlements around the entire lake were found in the Palude Mercallo; they date back to the Bronze Age. At the same time, the Palude serves as a resting area for migratory birds. Archaeological history and bird resting form two different perspectives on the same natural and historical setting.

A Cycling Tour Starting in Mercallo

The “Bike Tour intorno ai Laghi di Comabbio e Varese” starts in Mercallo and follows cycle paths and footpaths along the two lakes.

Places to Visit in the Surrounding Area

Villa Bellini, a palace, is located in the surroundings of Mercallo. Villa Baumann, also a palace, is likewise nearby. The Museo Archeologico, a museum, is located there as well, as is the Chiostro di Voltorre, another museum. These places complement the sacred and local history with palaces and museum destinations, without requiring a single specific thematic focus.

The beaches Spiaggia del Sasso Cavallazzo and Spiaggia dei Caravalle are also located in the surroundings of Mercallo. Parco Luigi Zanzi is likewise situated in this area. In the wider regional surroundings of Mercallo, there is also the summit of Monte Mazzarone. The view therefore extends from individual nearby locations to a broader connection with the landscape.

The Giobia Tradition in Piazza Balconi

The Giobia tradition in Mercallo is part of the town’s local character. It involves lighting a bonfire in Piazza Balconi.

Further destinations for planning your trip: Gavirate, Olgiate Olona, Vizzola Ticino, Montecatini, Gornate Olona, Gazzada Schianno, Vergiate, Ranco.

To the main travel overview: Varese.