• Art & Culture
    • Lakes

Brebbia and the pipe factory

In the province of Varese, wet from Lake Maggiore, well protected by a hilly setting hidden from the wind and sudden storms

The town of Brebbia is reached easily from provincial road SP50 that links Ispra to Varese, and also from secondary roads, more suited to cycling, which connect this town with the nearby lakes of Monate and Comabbio.

 

Brebbia's main monument is an exquisite piece of Romanesque art: the church of Saints Peter and Paul is a beautiful building dating back to the end of the 12th century, built with blocks of serizzo, granite and Angera stone.

Inside, splendid 15th century frescoes show the stories of the Passion of Christ and the life of S. Giulio, while in the apse above the altar, visitors can admire a beautiful Christ Pantocrator in the mandorla. Legend has it that this church was founded in ancient times by Saint Giulio himself, who preached the gospel throughout the Alpine foothills around Lake Maggiore with his brother, Giuliano.

Not far from the church, going towards Besozzo, cyclists can also visit an interesting museum dedicated to the production of tobacco pipes. It is located in the locality Bosco Grosso, next to the existing pipe factory and not far from the Bardello River and a network of paths suitable for mountain bikes. 

Mountain bike riders are advised to take the trails up to Laghetasc, a small pond located in a charming natural setting between the towns of Brebbia and Ispra. There are paths and roads with little traffic that lead to Lake Maggiore in the locality Sabbie d'Oro, which is connected in turn to other interesting areas, through easy to ride paths.

 

Take me here: Brebbia and the pipe factory

On the same topic

Monuments Pavia

Ancient squares, historic houses, statues, religious buildings, museums ... in Pavia and its province
  • Art & Culture
Monument Pavia, what to see

Open museums in Lombardy: an ode to female talent 

Lombardy’s museums are once again welcoming the public, art lovers, and other visitors with a wealth of exhibitions dedicated to women: artists, works of art, and mythological figures who have inspired exhibitions and shows
  • Art & Culture
Open museums in Lombardy: an ode to female talent 

Lombardy's highest steeples and bell towers

There are four bell towers from which to admire the region's beautiful landscapes and squares, all of them over 90 metres high
  • Art & Culture
Lombardy's highest steeples and bell towers

Monument Varese

Stately homes, religious buildings, fortifications and UNESCO treasures among the beauties of Varese and its surroundings
  • Art & Culture
Monument Varese, what to see

THE ISLAND OF THE MONASTERIES

  • Art & Culture
THE ISLAND OF THE MONASTERIES

Five Art Refuges in the City

We can reveal some of the finest, most beautiful spaces that perhaps you did not know about
  • Art & Culture
Five Art Refuges in the City - Lombardy

FAI Landmarks in the Province of Varese

Cultural Treasures in a Stunning Natural Setting
  • Art & Culture
Aerial photograph of Villa Panza in Varese, showcasing the main building with its elegant neoclassical architecture and well-maintained geometric garden. The image features hedges, symmetrical flowerbeds, fountains, and a large park with lush trees, surrounded by historic buildings and the urban landscape in the background.

Museums Como

Great museum offer in Como. From the first communities on the territory to the thematic museums
  • Art & Culture
Museums Como, ideas for visiting

Autumn Events 2025

  • Art & Culture
Autumn Events 2025

Mantua, Festival City

Mantua is a living city 365 days a year. Thanks to international festivals. Starting from the prestigious Festivaletteratura
  • Art & Culture
Mantua, Festival City

Museums Mantua

Indelible traces of a past full of history and emblematic characters. Museums tell us about the rich biography of the territory
  • Art & Culture
Museums Mantua, cultural hubs in Lombardy

Seven art works to discover in Milan

An artistic itinerary through the streets of Milan, discovering works that transform the city into an open-air gallery.
  • Art & Culture
Seven art works to discover in Milan

Between ancient memories and majestic landscapes

Cultural itinerary in lower Valtellina
  • Art & Culture
Between ancient memories and majestic landscapes

The villages of the Lower Valtellina between adventure and relaxation

  • Art & Culture
The villages of the Lower Valtellina between adventure and relaxation

Castles Bergamo

Bergamo saw in the past the proliferation of fortifications. Many, today, castles to visit
  • Art & Culture
Castles Bergamo, discovering Lombardy

Lombardy’s Legends and Traditions

An invitation to take a journey into Lombardy’s folklore, rediscovering seven ancient legends and traditions
  • Art & Culture
Lombardy’s Legends and Traditions

The Legend of the Giubiana

The Giubiana festival is a very popular tradition in Lombardy
  • Art & Culture
Traditions in Como: The legend of the Giubiana

Bergamo Bassa

In Bergamo the visit starts from the bottom of the town, from its historic villages, and goes on by climbing slowly
  • Art & Culture
Historical places and green areas in Bergamo

Visiting the Castle in the night

  • Art & Culture
Visiting the Castle in the night

The Ghost of Manigunda

In Varese the legend of the ghost of Manigunda to the monastery
  • Art & Culture
Legends of Varese: the Ghost of Manigunda at the Cairate Monastery