• Religious Tourism
    • Art & Culture

Basilica di San Vittore

Entering the historical core, walking through the streets of the center you'll be enchanted by the vision of the Basilica

Where
Piazza Canonica, Varese
Contacts
+39 0332236019
Official site

The Basilica di San Vittore represents the religious heart of Varese, alongside the Torre Campanaria and the Battistero di San Giovanni.

The current structure is the result of work undertaken at three different points of history; the presbytery was the first part to be built, in the first half of the 16th century. There followed the hall with three naves, which replaced the existing church, which is thought to have been Romanesque. Built between 1589 and 1625, the hall culminates with a cupola made by Giuseppe Bernasconi. Finally, the neo-classical façade was added between 1788 and 1791, to a design by Leopoldo Pollack.

Inside, your gaze is immediately attracted by the presbytery, above which the polygonal apse stands. Designed in the Bramante style, the apse was later modified by work beginning in the second half of the 17th century.

The altar – a notable example of the Lombard Barocchetto style – was designed by Milanese architect Bartolomeo Bolla and built by the Buzzi sculptors from Viggiù between 1734 and 1742; Elia Vincenzo Buzzi carved the statues to a design by Pierantonio Magatti.

The current layout of the presbytery – in accordance with the findings of the Second Vatican Council – was finished in 1991 and saw the construction of the altar, the ambo, the seat and the processional cross in memory of Pope Paul VI. All were designed by Floriano Bodini.

San Vittore's central location is matched by that of the province of Varese as a whole, which is set in an area of incredible beauty.

Over the years, the splendid countryside has served as inspiration for several art trends, including Art Nouveau architecture. This style became popular in the area, inspired by the dynamic combinations formed by the light of the mountains, the lake and the plains.

Take me here: Basilica di San Vittore

Places

Varese: the old town

  • Lifestyle
Varese: the old town
95 mt

Cloister of S. Antonino

One of the most historic places in the centre of Varese, known for the spring blossoming of azalee.
  • Art & Culture
Chiostro di Sant'Antonino - Varese
185 mt

Palazzo Estense

  • Art & Culture
Palazzo Estense
282 mt

Ancient mills and rural structures

  • Art & Culture
Ancient mills and rural structures
286 mt

SHOPPING DISTRICT

  • Lifestyle
SHOPPING DISTRICT
286 mt

Waterfalls | Varese Convention & Visitors Bureau

  • Active & Green
Cascate Varese
286 mt

The Gardens of Palazzo Estense

  • Active & Green
The Gardens of Palazzo Estense
326 mt

Estense Gardens, Villa Mirabello and Civic Archaeological Museum

  • Art & Culture
Estense Gardens, Villa Mirabello and Civic Archaeological Museum
456 mt

The Cedar of Villa Mirabello

The majestic tree dominates the historic centre of Varese and leaves anyone standing under its imposing foliage speechless.
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The Cedar of Villa Mirabello
471 mt

Villa Menafoglio Litta Panza

Villa Menafolio Litta Panza (VA) is a Mecca for art lovers and tourist who come to visit the contemporary art exhibitions it hosts.
  • Art & Culture
Villa Menafoglio Litta Panza
694 mt

Ville Ponti

An ancient residential complex owned by a Ponti’s family and now an efficient Congress Centre, property of Varese Chamber of Commerce.
  • Art & Culture
Ville Ponti
770 mt

Panza Art Collection

  • Art & Culture
Panza Art Collection
770 mt

Villa Torelli Mylius

  • Parks
Villa Torelli Mylius
839 mt

Masnago Castle and Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art | Varese Convention & Visitors Bureau

  • Art & Culture
Masnago Castle and Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art | Varese Convention & Visitors Bureau
2.26 km

Masnago Castle and Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

  • Art & Culture
Masnago Castle and Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
2.26 km

Castello Castiglioni Mantegazza

  • Art & Culture
Castello Castiglioni Mantegazza
2.45 km

Castiglioni Museum

Un affascinante viaggio tra archeologia e etnologia, tra deserto e savana, tra mito e realtà
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Castiglioni Museum
2.92 km

Birrificio Angelo Poretti

  • Lifestyle
Birrificio Angelo Poretti
2.93 km

Villa e Parco Toeplitz

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Villa e Parco Toeplitz
3.18 km

Induno Olona

Important in the past due to its numerous factories, Induno still retains a certain historical-industrial relevance today
  • Art & Culture
Induno Olona
3.66 km

Events

The Gran Fondo Tre Valli Varesine On Road Competition

Varese
05/10/2024 - 06/10/2024
  • Cycle Tourism
The Gran Fondo Tre Valli Varesine On Road Competition
734 mt

THE FESTIVAL FOR YOUNG ROWERS

Lago di Varese
Schiranna (VA)
05/07/2024 - 07/07/2024
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THE FESTIVAL FOR YOUNG ROWERS
3.87 km

Cycling: The Carnago Grand Prix

Carnago (VA)
31/08/2024
  • Cycle Tourism
Cycling: The Carnago Grand Prix
10.73 km

Donne, impresa e cucina

Ristorante Tarantola
Via della Resistenza, 29, 22070, Appiano Gentile (CO)
17/03/2024 - 24/03/2024
  • Food & Wine
Donne, impresa e cucina
12.89 km

Activities

Bike Tour around the Lakes of Comabbio and Varese

  • Cycle Tourism
Bike Tour around the Lakes of Comabbio and Varese
14.31 km

Where to sleep

LOFT10

VARESE
LOFT10
64 mt

B&B VARESE CENTRO

Varese
B&B VARESE CENTRO
108 mt

HOTEL DI VARESE

Varese
HOTEL DI VARESE
193 mt

CRYSTAL HOTEL VARESE

Varese
CRYSTAL HOTEL VARESE
232 mt

CASA COCCA

Varese
CASA COCCA
249 mt

B&B Prodi Varese

VARESE
B&B Prodi Varese
274 mt

Via Dazio Vecchio

VARESE
Via Dazio Vecchio
283 mt

ALBERGO RISTORANTE BOLOGNA SRL

Varese
ALBERGO RISTORANTE BOLOGNA SRL
285 mt

Loc. Tur. Montalbetti Giuditta via Cattaneo

VARESE
Loc. Tur. Montalbetti Giuditta via Cattaneo
305 mt

Loc. Tur. Montalbetti via Cattaneo

VARESE
Loc. Tur. Montalbetti via Cattaneo
305 mt

VARESE LOVELY STAY

Varese
VARESE LOVELY STAY
306 mt

Cav Via Morosini Varese

VARESE
Cav Via Morosini Varese
310 mt

CASA EUGENIA

VARESE
CASA EUGENIA
352 mt

HOTEL EUROPA

Varese
HOTEL EUROPA
360 mt

Kibilù Via Orrigoni

Varese
Kibilù Via Orrigoni
369 mt

LA CORTE

Varese
LA CORTE
390 mt

CAV Zingali

VARESE
CAV Zingali
399 mt

Via Medaglie d'Oro

VARESE
Via Medaglie d'Oro
420 mt

Casa Vacanze Via Magenta 20

VARESE
Casa Vacanze Via Magenta 20
434 mt

Loc. Tur. Corsalini

VARESE
Loc. Tur. Corsalini
466 mt