Page 140 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Milan & The Lakes

138  THE LAKES OF NOR THERN IT AL Y

3 Lesa and
Belgirate
Lesa (Novara). * 2,400. Belgirate
(Verbania). * 600. n IAT, Via Portici,
Lesa (0322-77 20 78).
Lesa lies on a particularly
charming stretch of the lake
between Arona and Stresa, and
has been popular as a resort for
noble Lombard families since
the 18th century. The Museo
Manzoniano di Villa Stampa
has mementos of author
Alessandro Manzoni, who was
Boats anchored in a harbour in Sesto Calende a guest here. The hamlet of
Villa boasts the Romanesque
1 Sesto Calende strategic location, a Rocca or church of San Sebastiano.
fortress (the twin of the one at Once past Lesa, continue
Varese. *10,974. n IAT (mid-Mar–
Oct only), Viale Italia 3 (0331-92 33 29). Angera; see p141), was built here; to Belgirate and its charming
∑ prosestocalende.it it was enlarged by the Borromeo historic centre, whose houses
and dis mantled by Napoleon. have porticoes and porches.
The town at the southern tip of Corso Marconi has a view of the This village also commands
Lake Maggiore marks the end Rocca at Angera, and leads to a panoramic view of the lake.
of two motorways lead ing to Piazza del Popolo. Here are the It was a haunt of philosopher
the Verbano region. The road 15th-century Casa del Podestà, Antonio Rosmini and poet
to Arona goes to San Donato, with an arched portico, and Guido Gozzano.
known as “La Badia” or abbey, the 16th-century Madonna On the hills 4 km (2 miles)
a 9th-century basi lica rebuilt di Piazza church. Santi Martiri from Belgirate is the13th-century
in the 11th–12th century. The has 15th-century paintings by Castello Visconteo, decorated
capitals have sculpted figures Bergo gnone, and Santa Maria with frescoes of the period.
of animals and humans. There Nascente has an altarpiece Nearby is the Romanesque
are fres coes from the 15th and by Gaudenzio Ferrari (1511). church of San Michele, with
16th centuries in the nave Just north of the centre is a a leaning bell tower.
and from the 18th century in massive statue of San Carlo.
the crypt. South of Sesto, near It was designed by Cerano in E Museo Manzoniano
Golasecca, are Iron Age tombs 1614 and finished in 1697. In di Villa Stampa
(9th–5th century BC), part of the church of San Carlo there Via alla Fontana 18, Lesa. Tel 0322-764
the civilization named after the is a reconstruction of the room 21. Open Aug only: 10am–noon Thu,
place. State road 33 to Arona where San Carlo was born. 5–9pm Sat & Sun (by appt only).
will take you to the Lagoni di Villa Ponti is a mid-18th- + Castello Visconteo
Mercurago Regional Park, century villa with Baroque and Via Visconti 1, Massino Visconti.
with varied bird species and Art Deco decoration. It stands in Tel 329-475 37 83 Open by
the remains of ancient villages. a garden with a nymphaeum arrangement only.
and a fountain.
R Abbazia San Donato
Via San Donato 6. Tel 0331-92 42 71. R Statue of San Carlo
Open 8am–7pm daily. Piazza San Carlo.
} Lagoni di Mercurago Tel 0322-24 96 69.
Regional Park Open Mar: 9am–12:30pm,
Via Gattico 6, Mercurago. Tel 0322-24 2–4:30pm Sat & Sun;
02 39. ∑ parchilagomaggiore.it Apr–Sep: 9am–12:30pm,
2–6:30pm daily; Oct:
9am–12:30pm, 2–6:30pm
2 Arona Sat & Sun; Nov & Dec:
9am–12:30pm, 2–4:30pm Sat
Novara. * 15,000. n Largo Duca & Sun except 1 Nov, 8, 25 &
d’Aosta (0322-24 36 01). ( antiques, 26 Dec. Children under eight
1st Sun of month (Feb–Nov).
are not allowed inside the
Arona once occupied an statue. Closed Jan, Feb. &
important trading position P Villa Ponti
between Milan and the lake Via San Carlo 63.
and mountain regions of Tel 0322-446 29. The square in Arona with the huge statue of San
Northern Italy. Because of its Closed to the public. Carlo Borromeo

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