At the foot of the Sacro Monte di Varese (UNESCO heritage site) lies the village of Sant'Ambrogio with its fascinating Villa Toeplitz Park.

A small jewel of landscape architecture, it is home to remarkable specimens of trees among the water features and historic houses (home to the Castiglioni Ethnological and Archaeological Museum, among others). The large beech just a few steps from the park gate is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful representatives of the species on Varese soil. 

Approaching its trunk, with a circumference of almost 6 metres (diameter 190 cm) and a height of 20 metres, you feels as if enveloped in an embrace by the incredible foliage that reaches almost to the ground.

Also fascinating is the root system that emerges from the ground and supports the large tree. The beech introduces visitors to a unique historical park, where different architectural styles coexist, and invites exploration.

(Ph: Luca Pernechele)