• Active & Green
    • Art & Culture

The Gardens of Palazzo Estense

Where
Via Luigi Sacco 5, Varese
Contacts
+39 0332 255111
Official site

Palazzo Estense and its gardens are the result of Francesco III D’Este’s passion for the town of Varese.

Legend has it that the Duke of Modena and Governor of the Duchy of Milan was so enchanted with Varese that he begged the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria to entrust it to his rule. His request was granted, Varese was to be his fiefdom although it was not be passed down to his heirs, but would revert to the imperial crown.

And this is where the villa’s history begins: the Duke bought it in 1765 and entrusted architect Giuseppe Bianchi with the renovations necessary to turn it into his summer residence.

The gardens behind the villa were transformed into French formal gardens and Italian gardens inspired by the grounds of the royal residence of Schönbrunn.

One of the park’s main attractions is the parterre, lined with flowerbeds and low growing plants, where the main fountain is located. Together with the grounds of Villa Mirabello, the Palazzo Estense gardens are now open to the public, with hundreds of visitors admiring their beauty daily.


Opening hours

Open: all year
Opening times: variable
Admission: free

Take me here: The Gardens of Palazzo Estense

Places

Palazzo Estense

  • Art & Culture
@inlombardia - Palazzo Estense di Varese
46 mt

The Ginkgo Biloba in the Estensi Gardens

  • Art & Culture
The Ginkgo Biloba in the Estensi Gardens
58 mt

Arco Mera and Basilica of San Vittore

  • Art & Culture
View of the ceiling of Arco Mera with some zodiac signs and the dome of the Basilica of San Vittore in Varese
251 mt

Varese: the old town

  • Lifestyle
Varese: the old town
251 mt

Ancient mills and rural structures

  • Art & Culture
Ancient mills and rural structures
260 mt

SHOPPING DISTRICT

  • Lifestyle
SHOPPING DISTRICT
260 mt

Waterfalls | Varese Convention & Visitors Bureau

  • Active & Green
Cascate Varese
260 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
280 mt

Estense Gardens, Villa Mirabello and Civic Archaeological Museum

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

The Plane Tree of Villa Mirabello

  • Art & Culture
The Plane Tree of Villa Mirabello
318 mt

The Cedar of Villa Mirabello

The majestic tree dominates the historic centre of Varese and leaves anyone standing under its imposing foliage speechless.
  • Art & Culture
The Cedar of Villa Mirabello
318 mt

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
  • Religious Tourism
Basilica di San Vittore, Churches of Varese
326 mt

Villa Torelli Mylius

  • Parks
Villa Torelli Mylius
718 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
799 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
875 mt

Panza Art Collection

  • Art & Culture
Panza Art Collection
875 mt

The Cork Oak of Villa Augusta

With its thick, wrinkled bark, it amazes visitors of Villa Augusta Park.
  • Art & Culture
The Cork Oak of Villa Augusta
1.16 km

The Beech of Masnago Castle

With its purple leaves and size, the large red beech embellishes the atmospheric Mantegazza Park.
  • Art & Culture
The Beech of Masnago Castle
1.83 km

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
1.98 km

Masnago Castle and Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

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

Events

Boldini, De Nittis, Zandomeneghi. The 19th Century Salon

Villa San Martino
Villa S. Martino Via Ferruccio Bolchini 24, Barasso (VA)
13/10/2024 - 03/11/2024
  • Art & Culture
Image of a Woman from De Nittis' Painting
5.7 km

Activities

Bike Tour around the Lakes of Comabbio and Varese

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

Where to sleep

B&B Prodi Varese

VARESE
B&B Prodi Varese
200 mt

ALBERGO RISTORANTE BOLOGNA SRL

Varese
ALBERGO RISTORANTE BOLOGNA SRL
262 mt

Ripoli La Foresteria

VARESE
Ripoli La Foresteria
264 mt

B&B VARESE CENTRO

Varese
B&B VARESE CENTRO
292 mt

Foresteria Lombarda "Varese Suites"

VARESE
Foresteria Lombarda
327 mt

LOFT10

VARESE
LOFT10
330 mt

Locazione Via Staurenghi

VARESE
Locazione Via Staurenghi
335 mt

Loc. Tur. Montalbetti Giuditta via Cattaneo

VARESE
Loc. Tur. Montalbetti Giuditta via Cattaneo
341 mt

Loc. Tur. Montalbetti via Cattaneo

VARESE
Loc. Tur. Montalbetti via Cattaneo
341 mt

HOTEL EUROPA

Varese
HOTEL EUROPA
366 mt

Via Dazio Vecchio

VARESE
Via Dazio Vecchio
432 mt

INVILLA BNB

Varese
INVILLA BNB
433 mt

APPARTAMENTO INVILLA

Varese
APPARTAMENTO INVILLA
442 mt

LA MARTINO B&B

Varese
LA MARTINO B&B
443 mt

VARESE LOVELY STAY

Varese
VARESE LOVELY STAY
446 mt

LA CORTE

Varese
LA CORTE
468 mt

CRYSTAL HOTEL VARESE

Varese
CRYSTAL HOTEL VARESE
480 mt

Loc. Tur. Montalbetti via Brunella

VARESE
Loc. Tur. Montalbetti via Brunella
506 mt

HOTEL DI VARESE

Varese
HOTEL DI VARESE
519 mt

CASA COCCA

Varese
CASA COCCA
575 mt