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Somma Lombardo

Description

Situated on a plateau overlooking the moors of the Ticino valley, the surroundings of Somma Lombardo, in the Varese province, are rich in interesting historical artifacts that evidence the presence of human settlements since ancient times, such as: a cremation tomb dating from the XIII century B.C., the tombs of the Golasecca culture (Iron Age), the Cromlech of Vigano, a large enclosure and ritual tomb built with more than three hundred stones, "Sass by Bis "(literally a rock of snakes), a boulder with engravings dating back to the civilization of Golasecca. There are also several exhibits that testify the passage of the Gallic tribe of Votodrones. In the Middle Ages, the town depended on the nearby Contado of Seprio, an important political and administrative Lombard centre, and around the year 1000 it became part of the possessions of the Visconti.

Not to miss:
- the Castle Visconti San Vito, a national monument, whose origins date back to the IX century. Built as a fortress to defend the borders of the Duchy of Milan, it was largely restructured in 1448 by Francesco and Guido Visconti, that sheltered here after the foundation of the Ambrosian Republic. Today the complex consists of three separate castles, each with separate entrance, leaning against one another;
- the Shrine of Our Lady of the Acorn, commissioned by San Carlo Borromeo, where it is said to be scenario of a miraculous event occurred;
- the Provostal Church of St. Agnes, the patron of the Visconti family, built in the second half of the XVII century;
- the Church of San Bernardino, which preserves inside a "Madonna and Child with St. Bernardino" of Fiammenghino;
- the Provostal Church of Santo Stefano, in the district of Mezzana Superior, with fine art works by local artists.

Map

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