• Art & Culture

Palazzo Estense

Where
Palazzo Estense di Varese
Via Luigi Sacco, 5, Varese
Contacts
+39 0332 255477
Official site
Infopoint
Infopoint Varese
Via Luigi Sacco, 11, Varese
+39 0332 281913

Palazzo Estense was built in the second half of the 18th century to become the home of Francesco III d'Este, the Duke of Modena and the Governor of Lombardy. Francesco III had in fact been a guest of the Menafoglio family in Varese in 1755 and was so impressed by the city that he wanted to obtain it as a feud, which, in fact, he did.

The palace was created by restoring the Villa of Tommaso Orrigoni, demolishing part of the existing houses and significantly changing the spaces to best accommodate the court, the authorities and make them suitable for the large parties held at the palace. The project was entrusted to the architect Giuseppe Antonio Bianchi, who also supervised the construction of the splendid 18th-century garden, one of the most beautiful in the whole of Lombardy.

While the inner rooms of Palazzo Estense are all richly decorated with stucco work worthy of being called art, the beautiful Salone d'onore is most deserving of admiration. The garden, which is connected to the grounds of Villa Mirabello, is animated by lanes, flower beds and a large circular pool that is illuminated every summer during the "Sound and lights" show – a sight to be seen.

Today, Palazzo Estense houses the city administration and the public library and various rooms are used to host conferences and concerts.


Opening hours

Summer: 8:00 - 20:00

Winter: 8:00 - 18:00

Take me here: Palazzo Estense

Places

The Gardens of Palazzo Estense

  • Active & Green
The Gardens of Palazzo Estense
46 mt

The Ginkgo Biloba in the Estensi Gardens

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

Campo dei Fiori Regional Park

  • Itinerari
Campo dei Fiori Regional Park
114 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
211 mt

Varese: the old town

  • Lifestyle
Varese: the old town
211 mt

Ancient mills and rural structures

  • Art & Culture
Ancient mills and rural structures
250 mt

SHOPPING DISTRICT

  • Lifestyle
SHOPPING DISTRICT
250 mt

Waterfalls | Varese Convention & Visitors Bureau

  • Active & Green
Cascate Varese
250 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
254 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
282 mt

Estense Gardens, Villa Mirabello and Civic Archaeological Museum

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

The Plane Tree of Villa Mirabello

  • Art & Culture
The Plane Tree of Villa Mirabello
312 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
312 mt

Villa Torelli Mylius

  • Parks
Villa Torelli Mylius
740 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
789 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
866 mt

Panza Art Collection

  • Art & Culture
Panza Art Collection
866 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
1.11 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
1.87 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
2.03 km

Activities

Bike Tour around the Lakes of Comabbio and Varese

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

Where to sleep

B&B Prodi Varese

VARESE
B&B Prodi Varese
192 mt

B&B VARESE CENTRO

Varese
B&B VARESE CENTRO
246 mt

ALBERGO RISTORANTE BOLOGNA SRL

Varese
ALBERGO RISTORANTE BOLOGNA SRL
253 mt

Ripoli La Foresteria

VARESE
Ripoli La Foresteria
279 mt

LOFT10

VARESE
LOFT10
284 mt

Foresteria Lombarda "Varese Suites"

VARESE
Foresteria Lombarda
287 mt

Loc. Tur. Montalbetti Giuditta via Cattaneo

VARESE
Loc. Tur. Montalbetti Giuditta via Cattaneo
329 mt

Loc. Tur. Montalbetti via Cattaneo

VARESE
Loc. Tur. Montalbetti via Cattaneo
329 mt

Locazione Via Staurenghi

VARESE
Locazione Via Staurenghi
352 mt

HOTEL EUROPA

Varese
HOTEL EUROPA
359 mt

Via Dazio Vecchio

VARESE
Via Dazio Vecchio
391 mt

VARESE LOVELY STAY

Varese
VARESE LOVELY STAY
406 mt

LA CORTE

Varese
LA CORTE
434 mt

CRYSTAL HOTEL VARESE

Varese
CRYSTAL HOTEL VARESE
447 mt

INVILLA BNB

Varese
INVILLA BNB
469 mt

HOTEL DI VARESE

Varese
HOTEL DI VARESE
475 mt

APPARTAMENTO INVILLA

Varese
APPARTAMENTO INVILLA
476 mt

LA MARTINO B&B

Varese
LA MARTINO B&B
484 mt

CASA COCCA

Varese
CASA COCCA
531 mt

Loc. Tur. Montalbetti via Brunella

VARESE
Loc. Tur. Montalbetti via Brunella
542 mt