At the foot of Mt. Penice, this ancient possession of the Abbazia di San Colombano di Bobbio passed to the Malaspina family in the Middle Ages and then to the Dukes of Milan. As well as the eighteenth century parish church dedicated to St. George, Santuario della Beata Vergine, built on the summit of Mt. Penice at an altitude of 1460 metres with very long views, also merits a visit. Menconico also has a nature reserve - Riserva Naturale Monte Alpe (an EC site since 2005) - covering 328 hectares of conifer, beech, downy oak and hornbeam forests, the habitat of a wide range of fauna. Access to the nature reserve is free of charge and its footpaths are well signed and equipped with information boards.

In an extremely attractive position the town is perched on a hill and surrounded by verdant forests and meadows. The parish church contains a beautiful seventeenth century composition in carved wood in honour of the Virgin and a sacristy with eighteenth century furnishings.

A little ancient village in the Po Plain: painted houses, farms and common courtyards surrounded by cultivated fields. This is Gradella.

A few kilometres away from Voghera near the Staffora stream, you come across the town of Rivanazzano Terme. The site is known as a well equipped spa town. Its bromide and iodide salt and sulphurous waters are popular for their high concentrations of elements which are indispensable for the healthy functioning of the body. Rivananzzano Terme's waters are especially suitable for respiratory, musculoskeletal and superficial vascular system cure, prevention and rehabilitation. They have also been found to be effective in curing rhinogenic deafness and skin conditions. Studies have been carried out on the beneficial effects of the waters on children in whom inhalation cures can prevent the respiratory conditions typical of the winter months.

Now privately owned, Arena Po castle dominates the river. The current appearance of the building is the outcome of several modifications but many traces of the thirteenth century building have survived. A fortress of considerable value on the border between Pavia and Piacenza lands, towards the end of the thirteenth century it passed into the hands of the powerful Pavia based Beccaria family.

In an evocative landscape inside a 17th century oratory in the fields Tempio del Moscato welcomes its visitors with tastings of typical Oltrepò wines accompanied by platters of cured meats and cheeses.

Canevino is a small town perching on a wooded hill which dominates the valley and whose ridge divides the Versa and Scuropasso valleys. The parish church dedicated to the Assumption is located on the top of the hill in an isolated and panoramic position and is a walking and pilgrimage destination. The town is an excellent base for footpaths through the forests and sandstone flysch. Photo: Andrea Iuculano  

In the smallest town of Italy, a small architectural and food&wine treasure

In the village of festivals, feasts but also of art, culture, traditions

You can reach it on foot, by cable car the village on the hill

Monteviasco è una frazione del comune di Curiglia, sulla linea di confine con la Svizzera. Si tratta di un alpeggio completamente isolato, non è raggiunto da nessuna linea di comunicazione stradale ma esiste un sentiero, costituito un tempo da 1442 gradini oggi ridotti in numero a causa della ristrutturazione dello stesso, oppure è raggiungibile tramite la funiviacostruita nel 1989. Il suo isolamento ha fornito le condizioni perché il borgo rimanesse intatto, come se il tempo si fosse fermato.   NEI DINTORNI: Pianifica la tua experience e il tuo soggiorno sul territorio varesino.  Copertina Provincia di Varese

The village of Castiglione Olona has ancient origins. It was a fortress in Roman times and later the village became the subject of a fierce dispute between the Visconti and Torriani families as they fought for years to gain control over the area around the banks of the River Olona. Entering the village you'll step back in tiem: you can't miss the Church of the Most Holy Body of Christ, also known as the Villa Church, Palazzo Branda Castiglioni, remains of the door that once led into the ancient castle and the Collegiata church compound with the church and baptistery. The chruch was built in the Gothic-Lombard style with a Latin cross ground plan, and dedicated in 1425 to the Virgin Mary and to St. Stefano and St. Lawrence. Inside there are three naves and remarkable frescoes of the life of the Virgin Mary by Masolino da Panicale on the sides of the apse, which also features some frescoes of the Tuscan school. The small museum of the Collegiata shows some precious sacred items and some important masterpieces. If you're visiting the village during the summer don't miss the Palio dei Castelli that take place in Monteruzzo Castle, an event to remember the medieval times and history of Castiglione Olona and its inhabitants.  INFO OF BRANDA CASTIGLIONI MUSEUM ADDRESS: Piazza Garibaldi - Castiglione Olona OPENING HOURS: from oct to march: from Tuesday to Saturday 9.00 am - 12.00 pm and 3.00 pm - 6.00 pm Sunday 3.00 pm - 6.00 pm // from apr to sept: from Tuesday to Saturday 9.00 am - 12.00 pm and 3.00 pm - 6.00 pm Sunday and holidays 10.30 am - 12.30 pm and 3.00 pm - 6.00 pm TICKETS: full price ticket € 3  //  reduced price ticket € 2 (kids from 6 to 14 yo and groups of min 20 persons)  //  children under 6: free entry The ticket includes the visit to MAP Museo Arte Plastica.   Dog of small size allowed if hold in arms, in compliance with the hygiene and public safety rules* *Information by the Museum. For any other question please check the guidelines from the Museum AROUND HERE: Plan your stay and your experience in the land of the lakes.