Gallarate, Busto Arsizio, and Saronno. Art, and architecture; faith and modern times

The Museum of Textiles and Industrial Traditions was opened with the aim of collecting, preserving and displaying objects, machinery, products and documents from the local textile industry and other local industries in Busto Arsizio. The museum also promotes cultural activities and raises awareness to help scientific and historical research into the industries. It recounts the history of how textiles were made in the area, explaining the techniques and the effect textiles had on related industries and society and the mark this textile expertise left on the city. The museum is housed in a building that was once the spinning mill for one of the largest manufacturers in the area; the Carlo Ottolini Cotton Mill, which later became the Bustese Cotton Mill and is an important example of the city’s industrial history. INFO  ADDRESS: Via A. Volta, 6 -  Busto Arsizio OPENING HOURS: from Tuesday to saturday: 15.00 - 19.00  //  Sundays: 10.00 - 12.00, 16.00 - 19.00.  NEI DINTORNI: Plan your stay and your experience in the land of the lakes.

The civic museum of Palazzo Marliani-Cicogna houses a vast collection of artworks owned by the city, and was opened to the public in 1990. The structure's restoration, which began in the 1980s and was completed in the year 2002, brought to light a number of the building's historical aspects, including the wine cellar and stables, which date back to the sixteenth century, as well as a series of eighteenth-century ceiling paintings and decorations. The collection's works, which consist in some 200 paintings, frescoes, sculptures, drawings and prints, are grouped according to thematic, stylistic or historical criteria. They range from local religious works, to a few significant works of Lombard Mannerism, even including paintings by important artists from the town of Busto Arsizio itself: such as Biagio Bellotti (1714-1789) and Giuseppe Bossi (1777-1815). The bulk of the work documents the period of late Lombard Romanticism, featuring local artists who mainly worked out of Milan, such as Enrico Crespi and Emilio Magistretti. There are a large number of works by Arturo Tosi, also a native of the city, along with a rich selection of pieces by artists who were, or have been, active in the area from the early twentieth century up until to the present. Others include: Claudio Olivieri, Tino Repetto, Enrico Della Torre, Claudio Rotta Loria, Giorgio Albertini, Attilio Forgioli, Gianfranco Pardi, Sergio Sarri, Giancarlo Ossola, Alberto Venditti, and more. Many of the contemporary artworks come from the various editions of the Premio di Pittura Città di Busto Arsizio (The "City of Busto Arsizio Painting Award"), which was held biannually from 1996 until 2004. Since the time of its opening, the museum has hosted numerous temporary exhibitions of figurative art and historical documentary works, as well as various educational initiatives. The museum's educational services include workshops and interactive guided tours of the permanent collection in both English and French, as well as themed activities in honour of the temporary exhibits.

Typical dish of Lombardy made with polenta and stewed beef strips

Saronno, Busto Arsizio and Gallarate are three of the largest and most industrialized cities in the area of Varese: they are home to several points of cultural interest, but also to markets, shopping centers, small craft shops and interesting boutiques. Busto Arsizio - the most populated city of the province is an industrial and commercial center, developed during the centuries thanks to the activities of spinning and weaving of cotton. It is located on the Strada del Sempione that connects Milano with Lake Maggiore. Spend a day uncovering the town and do some shopping around: the small historic center is full of shops, and whithin a few minutes driving distance (via Busto Fagnano) there's a shopping area. Markets in town: Antiquariato & Collezionismo - via Milano, Piazza San Giovanni, Piazza Santa Maria - every last sunday of the month except for july and august MUST SEE:    @symo__79 e @edoardopili Gallarate - with an history related to the mechanical, textile and aeronautical industries, Gallarate has a good railway and road network as well as an important role as an industrial center. The old town is worth a visit, especially if you love shopping: the most beautiful shop windows are located in the pedestrian area.  Leaving the center you will also find the Malpensa Uno Shopping Center, with 38 stores, a big market and the food court. In addition, along via Milano you can find different kind of stores and restaurants.  Markets in town: Antico mercato di Gallarate - Area pedonale P.zza Libertà - via Mazzini, via Turati, via Verdi - 3° Sunday of the month, except for july and aug  MUST SEE:    @lorein98 e @lansiomalo Saronno - located in the Altomilanese, it is well connected with the rest of the region. Stores are located in the central square of the city, between small bars and pastry shops where you can taste the typical Amaretto di Saronno, but also along the streets SP233 and SP527 where you can find many shops and restaurants.  Markets in town: Vintage market - Old town - last Sunday of the month MUST SEE:    @maxniger e @arzu.ch Plan your stay and your experience in the land of the lakes. Cover photo: @alequa81

A plain-forest, lively and rich in naturalness, in forestry, agricultural and social activities

Un percorso a piedi di 540 Km sui luoghi leonardeschi

Retracing the Way of one of the most important figures of history will give an important new dimension to your awareness of life

The Way of St. Augustine is a Marian pilgrimage in the name of the Saint of Grace, designed to reach and connect in its stages fifty Marian shrines in Lombardy. The route also touches on three Lombardy localities involved with the figure of Augustine of Hippo: Rus Cassiciacum (today Cassago Brianza, the place of his conversion), Milan (the imperial capital city and site of his baptism) and Pavia, where the Saint's relics are found. It is linked to the figure of Augustine of Hippo, who lived between the fourth and fifth centuries, a Christian philosopher, bishop and theologian, author of the Confessions, a work that has spanned the centuries for its modernity on the theme of the relationship between human freedom and divine grace. Brianza, and in particular Cassago, was fundamental in his life. It was there, in the autumn of 386, that Augustine converted to Christianity. The route involves a considerable extension on foot - in both directions - from Pavia to Genoa (the city where Augustine's relics were landed in the 7th century, to be transferred to Pavia along the Via del Sale). The current length of the Italian routes is 926 km. A continuation of the route for an additional 605 km is possible on North African soil, from Tunis-Carthage to Hippo and back, passing through Tagaste. The path is represented as a rose. The flower is an enclosed circular route of more than 350 km, to be covered ideally in 15 days of walking: it begins and ends in Monza, touching 30 Marian shrines and passing through the locality of Rus Cassiciacum. The Eastern Leaf is an approximately 99-km route from Milan to Monza in an easterly direction along the Villoresi and Martesana canals, touching 8 Marian shrines and providing a walking connection to the route for pilgrims arriving from Orio al Serio airport. To be covered in 4 days. The Western Leaf is a route from Monza to Milan in a westerly direction along the Villoresi Canal and the Waterways of the Expo 2015 area, to touch 8 Marian Shrines and ensure walking connection to the route to pilgrims arriving from Malpensa Airport. It is a stretch of about 68 km to be covered in 4 days. The stem joins the cities of Monza, Milan, Pavia and Genoa along the Naviglio Grande, the Naviglio Pavese and then along the Apennine Via del Sale. In Lombardy it runs about 68 km to Pavia. To be covered in 3 days. Traveling as "Pilgrims of Hope" this route during the Jubilee year 2025, one can stop at several Jubilee churches: Shrine of Our Lady of the Woods in Imbersago (LC) Shrine of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Monza (MB) Basilica of San Martino and Santa Maria Assunta in Treviglio (BG) Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Fonte in Caravaggio (BG) Parish Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Cernusco sul Naviglio (MI) Metropolitan Cathedral of Santa Maria Nascente - Milan Cathedral Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio in Milan Cathedral of Santo Stefano Martire and Santa Maria Assunta in Pavia Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d'oro in Pavia Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Sorrows in Rho (MI) Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Miracles in Saronno (VA) Shrine of Saint Peter Martyr in Verona Information on organized proposals on the route of the walk during the Jubilee year at the website: www.camminodiagostino.it