Ranco: Nature, Trails and Local History

Ranco: School History in the Vecchio Palazzo Comunale

Ranco combines local history with nature, architecture and trails. The Vecchio Palazzo Comunale housed Ranco’s primary school. Gianni Rodari taught there from 1940 to 1941.

Architecture and Visible Cultural Traces in Uponne and Ranco

In Uponne, the fresco on the Cascina Uponne is visible from the road. The Chiesa della Beata Vergine del Rosario has a neo-Romanesque-inspired exterior with twin windows, corbel arches, and brick and natural-stone cladding. At the church, the windows and arches stand alongside the two different cladding materials. In Ranco, the Cantiere Nautico Brovelli was built in 1931 as a residence and boatyard for boatbuilding. Its original use therefore included both residential purposes and boatbuilding. The church and the cascina are in Uponne; the Cantiere Nautico Brovelli is located in Ranco.

Marshland and Plant Life at the Parco del Golfo della Quassa

The Parco del Golfo della Quassa stretches between Ranco and Ispra. Its vegetation, typical of lake marshland, includes willow stands, reeds, yellow irises, as well as white and yellow water lilies. The rare Verbano water chestnut is also part of this plant life.

Walking Trails, Hikes and Cycling Tourism around Ranco

The area of the Parco del Golfo della Quassa is suitable for walking and cycling tourism. The surroundings of San Quirico hill offer opportunities for relaxed walks and sporty hikes. In addition, the Sentiero del Verbano runs through Ranco. In the park, walking and cycling tourism come together; at San Quirico, sporty hikes complement the peaceful walks.

Erratic Boulder, Fontana and Madonna del Rosario

The erratic boulder Sass Cavalasc, also known as Cavallaccio and Cavallazzo, is rectangular and measures 5 by 8 metres. The three names refer to the same erratic boulder. A Fontana with a Roman sarcophagus was originally connected to the old aqueduct. An old wooden statue of the Madonna del Rosario comes from the former church of San Vittore in Angera. The statue’s place of origin is therefore outside Ranco, in the former church of San Vittore in Angera.

Brusela: Grapes, Dough and Oven Preparation

Brusela is made from bread dough and fresh grapes. Either strawberry grapes or American grapes are used for the filling. The grape filling is covered with another layer of dough and baked in the oven. Both versions follow the same process; only the grape variety used changes. The filling lies beneath the additional layer of dough. Once covered, the pastry goes into the oven, where the layers of dough are baked together.

Further Destinations in the Area

Ardena Di Brusimpiano, Marzio, Bassano, Brebbia, Rasa Di Varese, Cassano Magnago, Castelveccana and Tradate

To the higher-level travel overview: Varese.