The Valtellina you don't expect surprises with its history, crops and food and wine events

Valtellina continues to surprise with its hidden corners and wonders.

The destination of this itinerary is the Voltiano Lighthouse at Brunate in the province of Como. The Voltiano lighthouse was built by engineer Gabriele Giussani in the hamlet of San Maurizio di Brunate. After 100 years since his death, it was a gift from the Como genius to his citizen Alessandro Volta. The lighthouse has an octagonal shape and is a 29-meter-high tower that dominates the entire valley below. At night, the lighthouse illuminates Como and the valley with white, red and green beams. From here there is a splendid view of the city of Como of the surrounding mountains and the Po Valley. To reach Brunate from Milan it would be better to avoid the highway because of traffic and go through the villages, it takes longer but is also more fun. Once you reach the city of Como, continue through the streets of the old town, and you will be attracted by the desire to discover its secrets. A visit to the best museums in the city of Como is recommended. The Paolo Giovio Archaeological Museum and the Giuseppe Garibaldi Historical Museum display the remains found in archaeological excavations in the area and take the visitor on a tale between Risorgimento and modern eras. Or, even more freely, a lovely stroll along Como's lakefront (partially occupied by work to protect the city from the flooding of the lake), which can be pushed up to the top of the breakwater that houses the famous monument by architect Daniel Libeskin, and continue further north along the stunning lakeside promenade (don't miss a look at the landing stage and the seaplane hangar, which very often ply the skies over the Lario). Closing the Como narrative is the Silk Museum, which presents an exhibition tour covering the entire historical chain of Como silk production. After the visit to the city of Como we follow the signs to Brunate and it is here that the climb begins, the road is steep and the hairpin bends are narrow, caution is recommended, moreover, if you go there on a Sunday you risk queuing even on a motorcycle because cars struggle to pass in some places. A curious anecdote about the Voltian lighthouse told by the elders of the village is the one that tells of the diplomatic case that arose because of the trespassing produced by the tricolor beam of light across the Swiss border that generated a dispute between the Italian and Swiss lawyers, in fact for a period of time the lighthouse was turned off. Currently the lighthouse is in operation and its tricolor beam of light can be seen tens of kilometers away. - Ph: lakecomotourism.co.uk

The city is told through the uniqueness of its historic places

The proposed itinerary is a perfect combination of nature, stories and art

Charterhouse of Pavia Museum - A magnificent overview of the great artistic personalities who worked on the Certosa of Pavia

Step into one of the most evocative historical places in the heart of Milano on a voyage between the past, present and future

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The church of Saint Francesco in Pavia shows a clear separation between the Romanesque architecture and the late Gothic

The opening to the public of the ancient underground spaces, where elements from the early medieval Santa Maria del Popolo cathedral coexist with reinforced concrete structures from the 1930s, has made an important archaeological, cultural, and spiritual asset of the city accessible. The museum is located in the heart of the city of Pavia, framed by the square and the cathedral. The museum’s path is characterized by a clear symbolic value. The visit to the Diocesan Museum begins with the ancient sarcophagus, placed outside the entrance, and continues through the dimness of the underground rooms before returning to the light through two circular openings in the cathedral’s floor that allow one to contemplate the luminosity descending along the great dome, symbolizing the divine presence. From the Romanesque womb to Renaissance light: a birth takes place, which is also the birth of a community from its spiritual and historical roots. From the ancient Santa Maria del Popolo, three restored and valuable sections of floor mosaics are visible (preserved in the Civic Museums of the Visconti Castle), along with numerous capitals, the frieze of the old portal leading to the crypt, and significant fragments of frescoes. In this evocative site, the narrative guides the visitor to discover the artistic quality and liturgical significance of some works from the diocesan collection. A key piece is the magnificent carved ivory crook from the 13th century, accompanied by a splendid illuminated manuscript from the 15th century, richly decorated and belonging to the Diocesan Archive, along with a wooden lunette depicting the Madonna of Mercy (15th-16th century) recently restored by the Studio Parma of Milan and returned to its former splendor for the occasion. The exhibition of liturgical garments completes a journey where sculptures, goldsmith works, reliquaries, and monstrances converge, representing a cultural and religious testament of the Pavia diocesan territory. Through the museum, the Diocese of Pavia has crafted a project grounded in the educational and cultural value of a place with unique historical, artistic, and architectural elements, aiming to involve students, art enthusiasts, citizens, and local associations in active participation through new cultural, artistic, and spiritual experiences.

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