Varese history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Varese is rooted in deep antiquity. Archaeological findings, particularly the famous pile dwellings on Lake Varese (for example, on Virginia Island), testify that people inhabited this territory as early as the Neolithic era. The name of the city itself, according to one common version, comes from the Celtic root "Vara", meaning "water," which reflects the region's abundance of rivers and lakes.

In the Roman era, the settlement developed as a fortified point (castrum) and a trade hub connecting the plains with the Alpine passes. However, Varese began to take shape as a significant administrative and urban centre in the early Middle Ages, first appearing in documents from the 10th–11th centuries as a developed borgo (borough).

Key Factors of Establishment

The transformation of a small settlement into a thriving city was driven by several strategic circumstances:

• Geographical Location: The city is situated in a picturesque hilly area at the foot of the Alps ("Prealpi"), at the intersection of important routes leading to northern Europe. This made it an ideal place for trade and transit control.
• Political Choice: During medieval internal conflicts, Varese found itself in a conflict zone between powerful neighbours — Milan and Como. The alliance with Milan (and the patronage of the Visconti and Sforza dynasties) became a decisive factor that ensured the city's protection and economic privileges.
• Commercial Status: Varese officially received the right to hold markets, which strengthened its status as a commercial centre for the surrounding valleys.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of early Varese was based on agriculture, livestock farming, and crafts. The abundance of water resources facilitated the development of mills and early manufactories, which laid the foundation for future industrialisation.

Culturally, the city early on became a significant religious centre. The construction of the Basilica of San Vittore and the birth of the pilgrimage tradition to the Sacred Mountain (Sacro Monte di Varese) formed a unique spiritual character of the city, attracting believers from all over Lombardy.

Key Milestones in the History of Varese

• 4000–1000 BC — Formation of pile dwellings on Lake Varese, the remains of which are today included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• Middle Ages — Varese strengthens its position as an important trade hub and a loyal ally of Milan in the struggle against Como and Emperor Barbarossa.
• 1604 — The beginning of the grand construction of the Sacred Way (Via Sacra) and the chapels of Sacro Monte, which became the spiritual symbol of the region.
• 1765 — Duke Francesco III d'Este receives Varese as a feudal possession, turning the city into his summer residence and a centre of secular culture.
• 1766–1771 — Construction of Palazzo Estense and the establishment of magnificent gardens, which secured Varese's fame as the "Garden City".
• 1816 — Emperor Francis I of Austria officially grants Varese the status of a city, recognising its administrative and economic significance.
• 1859 — The famous Battle of Varese, in which Giuseppe Garibaldi's "Hunters of the Alps" defeated Austrian troops, bringing the unification of Italy closer.
• Late 19th — Early 20th Century — An era of industrialisation and the flourishing of the Liberty architectural style, during which numerous villas and hotels were built in the city.
• 1927 — Varese becomes the administrative centre of the newly formed province of the same name, separating from the province of Como.
• 1998 — Foundation of the University of Insubria, giving a new impulse to the city's development as a modern educational and scientific centre.

Key Stages of Varese's Transformation

The development of Varese is a story of transformation from a religious centre and elite resort into a powerful industrial and educational hub. Below are the main milestones that defined the modern look of the city:

• Creation of Sacro Monte (17th Century). The construction of the Sacred Way and 14 chapels was not just a religious project but also an urban planning feat. This event cemented Varese's status as the spiritual centre of Lombardy and attracted a stream of pilgrims, stimulating the development of infrastructure and art.
• The "Golden Age" of Francesco III d'Este (18th Century). The decision of the Duke of Modena to place his summer residence here radically changed the city's status. The construction of Palazzo Estense and the layout of luxurious gardens attracted the Milanese nobility, who began to build villas here en masse. It was this period that laid the foundation for the concept of "Varese — Garden City" (Città Giardino).
• Industrial Revolution (19th Century). The transition from artisanal production to factory production made Varese an important economic player. Leatherworking, the footwear industry, and textile manufactories began to actively develop in the city and its surroundings, leading to population growth and the expansion of the city limits.
• The "Liberty" Era and Elite Tourism (Early 20th Century). During this period, Varese experienced a tourism boom, becoming a fashionable resort for the European bourgeoisie. The construction of grand hotels (for example, on Mount Campo dei Fiori) and funiculars was accompanied by the flourishing of the Art Nouveau (Liberty) architectural style, which still defines the aesthetics of many quarters.
• Status of Provincial Capital (1927). The designation of Varese as a separate administrative centre (separating from Como) gave a powerful impulse to urbanisation. The city received new government institutions, the central part was rebuilt, road connections were improved, and the political significance of the region was strengthened.
• Development of Aerospace and Engineering Industries (Mid-20th Century). Varese became home to giants of Italian industry, such as the aircraft manufacturer Aermacchi and motorcycle manufacturers (MV Agusta, Cagiva). This turned the city into a technological hub and ensured economic prosperity in the post-war years.
• Emergence as a University City (Late 20th — 21st Century). The founding of the University of Insubria (1998) marked the transition to a knowledge economy. The appearance of a student campus rejuvenated the population, stimulated cultural life, and attracted investments in scientific research and the service sector.

Architectural Mosaic: From the Middle Ages to Modernism

The architectural appearance of Varese is unique in that it is not frozen in a single era. The city developed organically, transforming from a medieval fortified settlement into a "Garden City" (Città Giardino), where nature and architecture exist in close symbiosis. A walk through Varese is a journey through time, where each district tells its story through stone and forms.

Middle Ages and Renaissance: Spiritual Roots

The oldest surviving structures belong to religious architecture, which formed the core of the old town (borgo).

• Romanesque Style and Gothic: The main witness of this era is the Baptistery of San Giovanni (12th–13th centuries). This is the oldest building in the city, preserving the austere features of the Romanesque style with Gothic elements, including ancient frescoes inside.
• Mannerism and Early Baroque: The Basilica of San Vittore, the heart of city life, demonstrates the transition from Renaissance structures to more opulent forms. Its Bell Tower (Campanile), designed by local architect Giuseppe Bernascone, is considered a masterpiece of Mannerism, dominating the historic centre.

Baroque: The Path to the Heavens

The 17th century was a time of flourishing sacred art associated with the Counter-Reformation. The architecture of this period is designed to impress and guide believers.

• Sacro Monte (The Sacred Mountain): This complex, included in the UNESCO list, is the pinnacle of Lombard Baroque. The 14 chapels rising up the mountainside are perfectly integrated into the landscape. The architecture here is theatrical, full of sculptures and frescoes, creating an effect of presence in biblical scenes.

18th Century: Birth of the "Garden City"

The arrival of Duke Francesco III d'Este turned Varese into a centre of secular life. Architecture became lighter, more elegant, and open to nature.

• Rococo and Neoclassicism: Palazzo Estense (now the Town Hall) is a vivid example of "Lombard Baroque" transitioning into Neoclassicism. The building was intentionally designed to harmonise with the immense park, creating a perspective reminiscent of Schönbrunn in Vienna. Following the Duke, the Milanese nobility began to build villas here (such as Villa Mirabello), surrounded by English and Italian gardens.

Liberty (Italian Art Nouveau): The Golden Era of Tourism

In the early 20th century, Varese became a fashionable tourist destination, which led to the construction of luxurious hotels and private residences in the Liberty (Art Nouveau) style. This style is characterised by floral ornaments, wrought iron, fluid lines, and the use of concrete as a decorative material.

• Iconic Landmarks: Architect Giuseppe Sommaruga left the city a grand legacy. The Grand Hotel Campo dei Fiori, towering over the city, and the Palace Grand Hotel on Colle Campigli are monumental monuments to an era when architecture strove for luxury and fantasy. The famous historic Poretti industrial building is also executed in this style.

Rationalism: Rebuilding the Centre

In the 1920s and 1930s, after receiving the status of provincial capital, the city centre underwent radical reconstruction in the spirit of Rationalism. This style is distinguished by strict geometry, monumentality, and functionalism.

• Piazza Monte Grappa: The main city square was completely rebuilt in the 1930s. Strict building lines, the Clock Tower (Torre Civica), and the fountain dominate here, symbolising the order and modernity of that era. This created a sharp but interesting contrast with the winding streets of the old borgo.

Distinguished Personalities of Varese

The cultural and historical landscape of Varese has been shaped for centuries by talented architects, rulers, and artists. Some were born here, while others chose this city for life and creativity, leaving behind a world-class legacy.

• Giuseppe Bernascone (known as "Il Mancino")
  Architect and Engineer (17th Century)
  A key figure in the creation of the Sacro Monte di Varese complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was Bernascone who developed the master plan for the Sacred Way and designed most of the chapels, virtuously integrating Mannerist and Baroque architecture into the complex mountain terrain.
• Francesco III d'Este
  Duke of Modena, Governor of Lombardy (1698–1780)
  The ruler who gave Varese its "Golden Age". Choosing the city as his summer residence, he initiated the construction of Palazzo Estense and the layout of the famous gardens. Thanks to him, the provincial town turned into a "Little Versailles" and became a centre of attraction for the aristocracy.
• Flaminio Bertoni
  Automotive Designer and Sculptor (1903–1964)
  A native of Varese who became a legend of world industrial design. Working in France for Citroën, he created the looks of iconic 20th-century cars: the Traction Avant, the people's 2CV, and the futuristic Citroën DS ("The Goddess"). There is a museum in the city dedicated to his versatile work.
• Giuseppe Sommaruga
  Architect (1867–1917)
  One of the brightest representatives of Italian Modernism (Liberty style). His monumental projects, such as the Grand Hotel Campo dei Fiori and the Palace Grand Hotel, defined the tourist appearance of Varese in the early 20th century, turning it into an elite European resort.
• Lodovico Pogliaghi
  Sculptor, Artist, and Collector (1857–1950)
  The author of the famous central bronze doors of the Milan Cathedral (Duomo). Pogliaghi lived and worked on the Sacro Monte, where he created a unique villa-museum. His home is filled with priceless art objects and antiquities from around the world, which he collected throughout his life.
• Salvatore Furia
  Meteorologist and Science Populariser (1924–2010)
  The man thanks to whom Varese became an important astronomical centre. He founded the Prealpi Geophysical Centre and the Schiaparelli Astronomical Observatory at the summit of Campo dei Fiori, making science accessible to residents and guests of the city.