Stopover in Milan
The discovery of this unique heritage begins in Milan, the Lombard capital that never ceases to amaze.
Journey to the Milan of the Roaring Twenties
Fans of the 1930s and Art Nouveau(stile Liberty in Italy), this is the tour for you! Villa Necchi Campiglio is an Italian symbol of elegance, refinement, modernity and design that has seduced many a film director. This superb villa in the heart of Milan, surrounded by a sumptuous garden with swimming pool and tennis court, is a model of its time. To satisfy the luxurious demands of the Necchi - wealthy industrialists in high places - architect Piero Portaluppi designed every last piece of furniture inside. The result is a precious showcase of stunning luxury and modernity, brimming with works of art. In the Necchi sisters' incredible wardrobe, have fun counting the hats carefully arranged on their shelves. Today, the Milanese fashion boutique Gallia et Peter in via Moscova reproduces the same for nostalgic shoppers!
A balcony overlooking the arena
Visiting the Parco Sempione at the back of the Castello Sforzesco, would you have noticed this graceful building whose elegant lines recall those of the Teatro alla Scala? It's none other than the Palazzina Appiani (1805), a wish of Napoleon's as part of the great redevelopment of the area that saw the formation of the Foro Bonaparte, the Arco della Pace and the park itself, as we know them today. Overlooking the Arena Civica, an imposing urban amphitheatre dedicated to sporting events, the neoclassical Palazzina was intended as a grandstand for official appearances by Napoleon and his family. The interior boasts a handsome salon d'honneur decorated with chandeliers, marble and a continuous frieze evoking the triumphal processions of Roman bas-reliefs, painted in the style of the neoclassical painter Andrea Appiani, from whom the monument takes its name. The FAI offers guided tours of the building.
Varese and surroundings
Now it's off to Varese! Only an hour's journey separates the two towns. The FAI has placed under its protection two beautiful monuments, surrounded by verdant parks and romantic lakes, which attract visitors from all over the world.
A luminous villa
To the north of the city, in the heart of a beautiful Italian garden, the Villa e Collezione Panza captivates art lovers from all over the world, as much for its container as for its contents. Its atypical collection offers a very special, almost sensory, visiting experience. The 18th-century villa houses one of Italy's most important collections of contemporary art. More than 150 works by American artists harmoniously interact with the ancient setting, decorated with all the refinement of the period, as well as with a collection of African and pre-Columbian relics. Each piece in the collection stands out for its brilliance and color. The highlight of the visit is the Ala dei Rustici, where the works of Dan Flavin, among others, shine; a veritable temple dedicated to the artist's curious fluorescent neon lights. All around, the vast park furnished with works of land art invites you to relax and why not take a picnic. For gourmets, the Luce restaurant will make your taste buds sparkle with pleasure.
In search of lost time
For a more bucolic experience, still in the Varese region, a visit to Villa Della Porta Bozzolo will give you the impression of stepping back in time. Lake Maggiore is not far away, and in spring the villa's gardens are fragrant with roses and camellias. Originally from the 16th century, the elegant interior decor and furnishings keep alive the memory of the families who once lived here. Incredibly, the collection of antique night-lights is one of a kind! More than 208 earthenware and porcelain teapots in a wide variety of shapes and colors, used for heating herbal teas and soups, as well as for lighting. But the most spectacular feature is the villa's Baroque park. With its terraces, staircases, fountains and water features, the theatrical Peschiera evokes the pleasures of the Baroque period.
Back to the Middle Ages
If, on the other hand, you prefer the Middle Ages and their legends, head for the Monastery of Torba. Located halfway between Varese and Milan, this religious fortress in the middle of nature is now part of an archaeological park listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A military stronghold from the 5th century onwards, and a monastery for Benedictine nuns until the 15th century, the site still retains its medieval fresco decor; the elongated silhouettes of the faceless Benedictine nuns remain imbued with mysticism. Sports enthusiasts can take advantage of the mountain bike trail (25 km), which runs along the Olona river through the picturesque village of Castiglione Olona and the archaeological site of Castelseprio, while gourmets can enjoy a generous helping of local cuisine in the restaurant housed in the monastery's former refectory. www.monasteroditorba.it
An explorer's villa
The FAI's discovery of Lombardy's wonders continues on the shores of Lake Como.
On a small peninsula jutting out into the lake, an enchanting villa, the Villa del Balbianello, languorously overlooks the lake waters. To reach it, you can choose between a gentle climb through the woods or a boat trip from Como. The villa is ancient, and its interior preserves the memories of its last owner, Guido Monzino, a tireless explorer and the first Italian to climb Everest. Sleighs, furs and seal skins are on display on the shores of Europe's most romantic lake. Before leaving, take a souvenir photo under the iconic arcaded loggia covered with creeping plants.
A lakeside villa
Less than an hour from Villa del Balbianello and 40 km from Como, on Lake Lugano, Villa Fogazzaro ROI is the jewel case preserving the vestiges of writer Antonio Fogazzaro's life. It was here that he wrote his book Petit monde d'autrefois. The villa has retained a warm, intimate atmosphere straight out of the 19th century, particularly in the study which houses the novelist's personal memorabilia.
