- Art & Culture
- Lakes
Angera and the Open Air Museum
A beautiful lakefront and a very picturesque aura in the province of Varese
The town of Angera, located at the foot of the impressive Rocca Borromeo, has a lovely historical centre and some surrounding villages that are very suitable for a cycling tour.
Easily reachable from the SP69 road connecting Sesto Calende to Laveno Mombello, Angera's historic centre is particularly interesting, with a beautiful lakefront promenade, a picturesque tree-lined street, and small but rich and active archaeological museum.
Here, visitors can find extremely interesting finds that testify to the city's strategic role during Roman times. Important historical and scientific research has been completed on discoveries at the Roman Necropolis of Angera, and this has allowed local bakeries to begin producing a type of ancient Roman bread.
A "Museo Diffuso" was recently opened in the historical centre and in the hamlets of Capronno and Barzola. This open air museum features a route that includes visits to monuments and places that became important through the millennia: from the most important churches, starting with the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Riva, to the most pleasant places and mysterious places, such as the ancient chapel of St Ambrose and the village of Capronno, situated in near a network of trails that mountain bikers really love.
Mountain bikes are also a convenient means of transport for going to the nearby hill of San Quirico. Visitors can enjoy a spectacular view from the top, but the trails that lead there are rather technical.