Embark on a voyage of discovery through the Cult City masterpieces of Lombardia. Eight Cities of Art just waiting to be discovered, one after the other. Must-see masterpieces, special moments by the water, leisurely journeys of discovery, places where the horizon seems to stretch out in front of you. Get ready for a range of unique experiences in Lombardy's Cult cities that look to the future while proudly preserving stunning heritage.
1) Milan - From fashionable skyscrapers to the legendary Panettone, from an aperitif to the events of YesMilano. The capital of innovation to experience between tradition and glimpses of the future. From Raffaello to Anselm Kiefer, Art is at home in Milan. Here are a few tips for art lovers of all ages:
- at the Pinacoteca di Brera admire some of the greatest masterpieces of art from the Pala Montefeltro by Piero della Francesca to the Sposalizio della Vergine by Rafaello.
- at the Museo del Novecento where, in 10000 steps, you can cross a whole century up to Lucio Fontana's Neon.
- at the Triennale Milano, where architecture and design interfere with each other
- at GAM in Villa Reale, a masterpiece of neoclassical era. You can treat yourself with a break in the beautiful cafeteria, after admiring Segantini, Canova and Medardo Rossso.
- at the Gallerie d'Italia in Piazza della Scala where you can even visit the vault that hosts about 500 paintings from the Intesa SanPaolo collection.
- at the Museo Poldi Pezzzoli observe one of the most extraordinary story of the collector of the late nineteenth century
-at the Pirelli Hangar Bicocca walk under the Seven Heavenly Palaces of Anselm Kiefer
- at the Fondazione Prada immerse yourself in the architecture designed by the OMA studio.
- at the Museo Teatrale alla Scala retrace the lives of immortal artists, singers and unforgettable dancers.
2) Brescia - The roman town of Brixia. This is Brescia a Lioness that looks in the future with firm roots in the past. Visit the the square dedicated to Pope Paul VI and discover that the city does not have one Duomo (cathedral), but two. Not to be missed the Clock Tower with its astronomical dial, a wonder of technology and art.
A theater city. Hundreds of artists, more than 50 city venues, tens of thousand of people. In September from daybreak to midnight, the "Festa dell'Opera" brings opera music into the streets of Brescia, its theatres and its most ancient places, in restaurants and in its backyards. A festival organised by the Teatro Grande, a temple of Italian Opera.
The "Mille Miglia": Brescia to Rome and back. It has been run every year since 1927: 450 historic cars from 41 countries, the roar of engines, elegance and sophistication. "A traveling museum unlike anything else in the world" in the words of Enzo Ferrari. And you can always admire the Mille Miglia Museum in Santa Eufemia della Fonte.
3) Como - The reasons for the city that loves science and designs with light. To be explored inside and out. Without ever losing the sight of the lake. From the Tempio Voltiano to the neoclassical villas, passing through the historic centre and the secrets of silk.
In the Como area, the silk production dates back from the 15th century. With the arrival of the industrial revolution, between the 18th century and the first part of the 19th century, twisting and spinning factories mushroomed through the region. The Silk Museum illustrates the entire production chain, from the silkworm to the finishing, through a collection of textiles machines and thousands of historical pieces. The Fondazione Ratti's Museo studio del Tessuto houses 3300 individual textile items and over 2500 books.
A tour of the villas. The first to visit is to the cultural center of Vila Omo, a magnificent 18th century villa also famous for its Italian garden, that offers the best view of Como overlooking its lake. The "Chilometro della Conoscenza", running through 42 acres of centuries-old parks surrounded by water, takes us to the Villa del Grumello and Villa Sucota, where we can explore greenhouses and lemon groves, and in spring enjoy the poetry walks of the 'Festival Parolario".
The world's most famous lake can be explored by boat of by seaplane. The view is breathtaking, but the real thrill is landing on the water.
4) Lecoo - From the locations associated with Alessandro Manzoni to the noble profile of Monte Resegone, a neoclassical theatre, a cabinet of curiosities, and the splendid lake. These are just a few of the resasons to love Lecco.
For a jazz concert or a play by a famous author the destination is the Teatro della Societa. The facade of the building inaugurated in 1844 betrays the intentions of the architect Giuseppe Bovara: to create a smaller Teatro alla Scall on the lake.
Pure adrenalin. Lecco offers this as well : a competition to test yourself without taking yourself too seriously. It's the "Scigamatt", a hurdle race held every month of September, since 2010, which transforms Lecco into a set of "Jeux Sans Frontieres". On a race track that changes every year, the contestants jump over 20 tons of hay bales, nets, tyres, water and mud. Recommended equipment : a carefree spirit and sprightly legs.
5) Monza - From the Treasure of Queen Theodelinda to the thrill of Autodromo. A two-speed city. Ready to enchant us with record breaking masterpieces. From the cathedral to the Villa Reale and the Design Museum. Off to the Autodromo for a spin on the track. This are just some of the many opportunities to fall in love with Monza.
From the antiquity to the present, in the 14th century building to the former Casa degli Umiliati. One city, many souls. Discover them in the epigraph of a votive altar that reveals the ancient name of the citizens of Monza : "Modiciates"', or in the 20th century art works, including those displayed at the first Monza Triennale.
Monza Autodromo is the fastest Formula1 track : 5,793 metre of pure excitement. Watching the race crowded along the track or in the stands is a sort of collective ritual. In the rest or the year, the track is open to the public and anyone can sign up for a sports driving course.
6) Pavia - A city to be discovered slowly. On the trail of the Lombards or among the cloisters of the university. Without forgetting the heritage of flavours and labels. From one of the oldest universities in the world to the riverside, in the heart of Pavia, capital of the Lombards, or on the hunt for great wines. Enough reasons to live your heart here.
The Lombard greatness has left a strong sense of pride among the citizens of Pavia, as well as several testimonies in the city, like the three Cyrpts of Santa Maria alle Cacce, San Giovanni Domnarum and Sant Eusebio, with magnificent "fibula' and "waterleaf" capitals. It is inspiring to admire from up close the Teodote stone plutei and the funerary gold jewellery, preserved at the Musei Civici del Castello Visconteo, a red brick fortress with huge towers at the wall corners.
You can navigate the river on boats known as 'barce' or narrow rowing boats or cross it over one of the two bridges. The river Ticino is largest blue thoroughfare where you can discover the relaxed side of Pavia in the quaint Borgo Ticino.
7) Sondrio is the place that makes the Valtellina even finer. The stue, or wooden rooms, and the terracing, the exploits of Orlando Furioso, a glass of Sforzato, are just so me of the things that make Sondrio unforgettable.
You will be surprised by the hidden treasures like the old "stue", made of Swiss stone pine that used to be the heart of alpine houses, or the stucco work and trompe- l'oeil in the spectacular 18th ballroom of Palzazzo Sartoli. Some masterpieces reveal the great passions that inspired them: it is the case of the priceless wealth of Renaissance frescoes dedicated to "Orlando Furioso", the protagonist, at the Castello Masegra, of one othe most compelling 16th century "comic strip-like' mural. A precious testimony of Ludovico Ariosto's love for the Alps, and theirs for him.
The Camminata alla Madonna della Sassella is not just a short escape out of town, but also a way to rediscover a spiritual dimension. It starts in town, almost by accident. From one little shrine to the next, you climb among the vineyards and terraces of the ancient via Valeriana up to the 16th Sanctuary. From the bustle of the city to the quiet of Valtellina, almost without realising it.
8) Varese - From the gardens of Palazzo Estense to the infinite vistas of the Sacro Monte. To discover the other geometry of a city on a human scale. The Pallazzo Estense park (1771) is the icon of Garden City, which Giacomo Leopardi called Little Versailles. Along the boulevards around the fountain, between the hedges, a reassuring symmetry dominates the scene.
A walk, a journey of faith, a Baroque museum under the open sky: it is the Via Sacra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fourteen 17th-century chapels connect the city to the Sanctuario. The Casa Museo Pogliaghi also deserves a stop, in its jumbled aquarium we will be able to spot classical busts, Egyptian sarcophagi and sketches by Gianlorenzo Bernini mixed up with works of the home owner.
Isolina Virginia another UNESCO World Heritage Site can be reached in twenty minutes by boat from Biandronino. It is the oldest of the 111 pile dwelling villages in the Alps. It was inhabited from as back as 5200 BC until the bronze age. Today, it is also a natural oasis where you can spot mallards, coots and grebes.
