FAI Marathon and Varese

The 12th October 2014 back FAI Marathon.

FAI-Marathon-locationSunday 12th October there will be the FAI Marathon event, that as you read directly on the site “calls on Italians to discover and rediscover the urban and suburban landscapes where they live every day, but they often ignore the beauty, value, history”.

The FAIMARATHON is a non-competitive walk in stages. In more than 120 towns you can choose on the FAI website your route, show up at the starting point during the hours indicated and … go!

At each stage there will be FAI volunteers, collecting contributions for participation, will distribute the kits and will illustrate the place, wich would be often visit inside.

Here are three routes in the province of Varese:

Varese – discovering the hill of Biumo, departure 10.00 a.m., a route with 7 stages (you can pre-register in the Marathon at Villa Panza – Tel. 0332 283960-faibiumo@fondoambiente.it);

Casalzuigno – Arcumeggia – a country rich in frescoes, a route with 5 stages, from 10.00 a.m.  to 18.00 p.m. (you can pre-register in the Marathon at Villa Della Porta Bozzolo since day 1st October, from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10.00 a.m. to 18.00 p.m. faibozzolo@fondoambiente.it);

Gornate Olona – monastery of Torba, from 10.00 a.m., a route in 3 stages (you can pre-register in the marathon from Wednesday to Sunday at FAI Monastery of Torba, Via Stazione, 2 Gornate Olona, Tel. 0331 820301-faitorba@fondoambiente.it).

For more information about Fai Marathon see website www.faimarathon.it

 

Doors open at Villa Recalcati

On Sunday 5th October free guided tours at Villa Recalcati from 18th century to Liberty Art.

villarecalcatiopendoorOn Sunday 5th October Villa Recalcati opens its doors to citizens and tourists for two free guided tours to know the history of Liberty Art.

The story

Villa Recalcati is one of the best examples of eighteenth-century suburban architecture in the province of Varese. His first group was actually erected in the second half of the seventeenth century, which country house of the noble milan family Recalcati.
After a series of property steps, the villa was inherited by Fr. Giuseppe Melzi who later sold it to Giovanni Battista Morosini, under whom it was transformed in 1874 in “Grand Hotel Excelsior”.

Soon the hotel became one of the most important and famous of North Italy, attended by personalities such as Verdi and Gabriele D’Annunzio, but with the decline of the tourist market in the aftermath of World War I, in 1927 came the failure.
The Villa was bought in 1931 by the newly formed province of Varese, which turned into its headquarters offices that still houses today.

The times of Sunday 5 October visits are as follows:

  • 1° visit 14.30 hours
  •     2° visit 16.30 hours

The reservation is not required.

Participants will be offered a welcome tribute town.

For Info:
Tel. 0332/252412
Email: eermoli@provincia.va.it

Cover Photo Credits: the newspaper Il Giorno

 

Discovering the apocryphal Gospels of Castelseprio

Santa Maria Foris Portas Castelseprio – Diy Tourist Column

Rubrica Turista Fai Da Te

santa maria foris portasThe province of Varese is an area steeped in culture. There are many places of historical and cultural interest that a tourist should not miss the opportunity to visit during his stay in Varese.

Hotel Ungheria guides you to discover these magnificent location starting from the Church of Santa Maria Foris Portas in Castelseprio.

The Church, which stands on a hill just two hundred meters from the walls of an ancient castrum, hence the appellation in medieval Latin, is the oldest building in Castelseprio.
Thanks to its frescoes, known as “the frescoes of Castelseprio”, Santa Maria Foris Portas is recognized Unesco World Heritage site.

It is a cycle of paintings, variously dated between the 6th and the 10th century, by an anonymous painter known as the master of Castelseprio, probably Byzantine, an artist who worked for a Greek client, Lombard, Caroling or Milan. The cycle depicts scenes from the childhood of Christ inspired, it would seem, especially to the apocryphal Gospels. This feature makes it a rare example of Lombard art of the highest level, since in Italy are only seven places with this particular type of paintings. These seven Italian locations are part of the serial site named “Lombards in Italy: the places of power”, in writing to the list of UNESCO World Heritage site in June 2011.

The trip to Santa Maria Foris Portas Castelseprio

Hotel Ungheria offers a special package dedicated to the Church of Santa Maria Foris Portas.

Program

  • Arrival date at the Hotel
  • Dinner at Ristorante La Vecchia Varese, an arrangement with us
  • Overnight stay in a double room
  • Buffet breakfast with local products and cakes of our production
  • Visit to the Church

Come discover one of the wonders preserved by Unesco
in the heart of Varese.
Visit Santa Maria Foris Portas, thanks to the special offer of Hotel Ungheria.

Offer valid until June 30st 2015.

The Assumtpion day in Varese is weblog FAI

What to do in the Assumption day in Varese?

If you don’t know what to do in the Assumption day in Varese, Hotel Ungheria suggests you an outing with picnic, immersed in nature and culture.

On 15 August, FAI opens the doors of its monuments in Varese to a special event: the picnic of the Assumption day. You can choose between the charming Villa Della Porta Bozzolo to Casalzuigno or the historic Monastery of Torba in Gornate Olona.

PICNIC AT VILLA DELLA PORTA BOZZOLO-CASALZUIGNO


From 10 to 18 the Villa will open its doors to all visitors who want to spend a different Assumption.

There will be the possibility of making guided visits to Villa and join the path-game “investigations in Villa”, which we will discover the secrets of an 18th-century noble family.

At 14.30 for children is playful and creative laboratory “take flight” (only on reservation): with wooden sticks, colored paper, twine, glue and crayons kite will be created that will be used in a breathtaking flight race, housed in the Villa theatre.


TORBA MONASTERY PICNIC-GORNATE OLONA

Monastero di Torba – Credits foto: Giorgio Majno – www.fondoambiente.it

Walking in the unspoilt nature of the Valle Olona, guided visits to the monastery with the guides of FAI, lots of entertainment and surprises, especially for children.

Promises to be an Assumption day really unique at the Monastery of Torba.

For the occasion will be even allowed to picnics in the Park of the monastery, normally forbidden activity. The most demanding, instead, can book a typical lunch at the Food Court of the building, the restaurant Il Refettorio. (Bookings at 335-1689902)

To book a ticket for the day of August 15 you can call 0331-820301 or write an email to faitorba@fondoambiente.it

Hermitage Santa Caterina: cruises on Lake Maggiore

santacaterinaFrom Laveno to the Hermitage of Santa Caterina by boat

Until 12 October the Navigation System of the Lakes has reactivated the navigation Laveno-Hermitage Santa Caterina, the 14th-century monastery perched on Lake Maggiore.

Although accessible by land, a visit to the charming historic location is even more striking if you come by boat from the Lake.

With a few euros there are several departures to and from Santa Caterina, close-up distances from 9.30 a.m to 6.30 p.m., from wensday to sunday.

According to tradition the monastery was founded by Alberto Besozzi, a wealthy local merchant, escaped to a downpour during the crossing of the Lake, decided to retire on that stretch of coastline and lead you life as a hermit.

After several passages of property and management, the monastery, which from 1970 is of the province of Varese and was held from 1986 to 1996 from a Dominican community, today went to the Benedictine Oblates.

Foto credits: www.santacaterinadelsasso.com. Foto copertina concessa da Valentina Macciotta e Domenico Cosenza.

Culture in addition to the Rowing World Cup

Free visits to the Via Sacra to the Sacro Monte and in the old town Varese

la via sacra 1
In Rowing World Cup hosted on Lake Varese to Gavirate, many side events are organized for tourists, but also for the Varese that want to discover the hidden wonders of our region.

For this, thanks to teh association Immagina, in the next few days (24-25-26-27th July) will be conducting free guided tours -even with an interpreter or language-guide – to the Via Sacra of the Sacro Monte or at the center of the city of Varese.

Registration is requested: 0332 435904 or 0332 334274, mobile 335 6430975 or email info@immagina.varese.it

Here is a small gallery that anticipates the beauty that you can see in these attractive location varesine.

The gallery is indicative only, does not reflect necessarily the guided tour programme.

Photo credits: www.gpsvarese.it and Hotel Ungheria

 

Visit Museum Lodovico Pogliaghi

Open to the public again Museum Lodovico Pogliaghi

Casa Museo Lodovico Pogliaghi - VareseLast 5th may, Museum Lodovico Pogliaghi, witch for a long time remained closed and abandoned to itself, was reopened to the public.

Although still restored and reopened only in part – a portion reopened to the public is the same as the orginal opening 1971- the expansion of the collection Pogliaghi will be ongoing .
For now, at least, what has already been collected in Museum Pogliaghi can be observed until 15 November, from 9.00 to 18.00, while:
-opening weekends (SAT, Sun and holidays)
-special evening openings June/August
-the weekly special openings for groups on reservation

For guided tours: info@lodovicopogliaghi.it
Dott.ssa Chiara Palumbo-3451331019

Photo Credits: www.lodovicopogliaghi.it

Walks and excursions at Campo dei fiori

Walking trails Campo dei Fiori – Diy Tourist Column

gpsvarese-loc.Fontana Rossa-Parco Campo dei Fiori

Loc.Fontana Rossa-Parco Campo dei Fiori

Diy Tourist Column

The massif of Campo dei Fiori and the massif of Monte Martica form the regional park of Campo dei Fiori which dominates the hilly area varesina.

Within the Parco Campo dei Fiori can be found around 20 paths for walking and hiking, all equipped with signage and in most cases easily passable on foot or by mountain bike. (Find out what reserved for bikers of all categories in our Hotel.)

The Parco Campo dei Fiori is crossed by 4 other trails that originate and/or ends outside of our province: the path E1-European Path, which starts from the North Cape in Norway and ends in Sicily through the whole of Europe; the path 3V-Via Verde Varesina, a trekking route in 7 stages which allows you to visit the Prealps of Varese province; the AV-Annulare Valcuviano, a route of 13 stages that runs through the Valcuvia; Jubilee trail, realized by Regione Lombardia for recurrence Saint Year of 2000.

To these are added the nature-themed trips that organise every year Voluntary Ecological guards. Scheduled this summer we have the following horse in Campo dei Fiori.

  • 28 June
  • 6 July
  • 20 July
  • 9 August
  • 17 August
  • 21 September

For details: 0332/435386 www.parcocampodeifiori.it

Photo credits: www.gpsvarese.it

Happy 30th birthday JazzAscona Festival!

Until June 28th, 20 concerts per day at Jazz Music Festival Jazz Ascona

JAZZASCONA 2011240 concerts around to celebrate Louis Armstrong on the occasion of 30th anniversary of JazzAscona.

Until 28th June in Ascona, charming swiss town on Lake Maggiore, exuding Jazz music: on the Lake, in the squares, in bars, in restaurants and jazz clubs. Could not miss during these days the giant screen to watch the World Cup at Seven.

Jazz music in the heart of Ascona, then, for every budget: because tickets cost from 45 to 115 francs, but during the week the shows on the Lake are free of charge, and weekend are on promotion to 20 francs, with an additional discount for students.

The Billboard Jazz festival Ascona ranges from New Orleans jazz to swing and mainstream, without forgetting the gospel, blues, soul, R & B, funk. To see the program please visit website of Jazz Festival Ascona.

How to get there and Where to park.

Ascona is just less than 80 km from Varese and you can easily reach by car. 700 free parking spaces are available at the former airfield of Ascona with shuttle service to and from the Lake from 18.15 till 01.30.

 Photo credits: www.jazzascona.ch

Varese: astronomy and the Observatory of Campo dei Fiori

Varese: Astronomical Observatory G. V. Schiaparelli – Campo dei Fiori

Osservatorio Campo dei Fiori

The Astronomical Observatory of Campo dei Fiori, with its citadel of Nature Sciences, are among the most estimable but at the same time little known beauties of Varese territory. The visit, lasting about 30 minutes, consists of an introduction to the history and activities of the Citadel, followed by the vision of the cupola with the main telescope, meteorological and seismic room connected to the Pre-alpine and Geophysical Centre at the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia.

A trip outside, immersed in the green of Campo dei Fiori, but also in astronomical and scientific knowledge. Suited to those who want to combine business with pleasure, feeding not only the spirit and the body but also the mind. On booking in advance and waiting list queue, guided tours are also possible.

The Observatory of Campo dei Fiori also opens to the public in some extraordinary events during the summer.

Saturday June 21th hours 21.00 “Songs under the stars”

Evening of music and astronomy in collaboration with Alpine choir “Campo dei Fiori”. Mountain songs and astronomical observation with telescopes provided by the Association. Booking is essential at the Observatory Secretariat number: 0332/235491

Saturday 5th July hours 21.00 – Music by Moonlight – From the beautiful and evocative setting of Belvedere Paul VI del Sacro Monte.
Special evening of music and astronomy in collaboration with Ensemble saxophones of Varese’s Civic Music Highschool.
To follow public astronomical observation with telescopes provided by the Association.

Sunday 20th July – From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. hours- Open doors at the Observatory

  • The forest and its animals
  • Paths in the trail “the forest”, visits to the Observatory and greenhouse, observing the Sun and educational workshops.
  • The guided tours to the trail start every half hour, from 10 a.m. to 15.30, and will have a maximum duration of 1 hour. The start will be from the entrance gate of the Citadel.

In collaboration with the Voluntary Ecological Guards (GEV) of the Park of Campo dei Fiori.

Tuesday 12th August – hours 20.30 – Evening dedicated to shooting stars “the Perseids”-Villa Toeplitz

In one of the most beautiful villas of the city of Varese, Villa Toeplitz, external presentation of the phenomenon of falling stars.
Following observation of the Perseids, the summer constellations and stars with telescopes provided by the Association.

Credist photo: www.astrogeo.va.it