Varese
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- See Edgard Varèse for the composer.
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| Comune di Varese | |
|---|---|
 Municipal coat of arms |
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| Country |  Italy |
| Region | Lombardy |
| Province | Varese (VA) |
| Mayor | Attilio Fontana (from May 29, 2006) |
| Elevation | 382 m (1,253 ft) |
| Area | 54 km² (21 sq mi) |
| Population (as of December 31, 2004) | |
| - Total | 96,917 |
| - Density | 1,795/km² (4,649/sq mi) |
| Time zone | CET, UTC+1 |
| Coordinates | |
| Gentilic | Varesini |
| Dialing code | 0332 |
| Postal code | 21100 |
| Frazioni | Avigno, Bizzozero, Biumo Inferiore, Biumo Superiore, Bobbiate, Bregazzana, Bustecche, Calcinate del Pesce, Calcinate degli Orrigoni, Campo dei Fiori, Capolago, Cartabbia, Casbeno, Lissago, Masnago, Prima Cappella, Rasa di Varese, San Fermo, Sangallo, Santa Maria del Monte, Sant'Ambrogio Olona, Schiranna, Velate |
| Patron | San Vittore |
| - Day | May 8 |
| Website: www.comune.varese.it | |
Varese (pronounced [vaˈreze] in Italian; Varès [vaˈrɛːs] in the local Lombard dialect; Baretium in Latin) is a city in north-western Lombardy, northern Italy, 55 km north of Milan. It is the capital of the Province of Varese.
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[edit] Geography
The province of Varese lies below the Alps, so mountains and hills constitute 32% and 46% of its territory respectively; other common features are rivers (including the Ticino and Olona) and glacial lake (Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano, Lake of Varese and four other smaller ones Lake of Comabbio, Lake of Monate, Lake of Ghirla and Lake of Ganna. The southern part of the province is in the Pianura Padana (the flat bottomland of the River Po).
[edit] History
In 1859, Giuseppe Garibaldi confronted Austrian forces led by Field Marshal-Lieutenant Carl Baron Urban next to Varese. Also, it was here were Alessandro Marchetti's Savoia-Marchetti SM.93 flew his first test rounds.
[edit] Main sights
It is most famous for the Sacro Monte di Varese (literally: Sacred mountain of Varese), a place of pilgrimage and worship. It is one of the Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy, included in UNESCO World Heritage list.
[edit] Economy
The economy of Varese is mainly based on industry and, to a lesser extent, specialized agriculture; some famous Varese-based firms are:
- Aermacchi (military trainer aircraft)
- AgustaWestland (helicopters)
- Cagiva, MV Agusta (motorbikes)
- Ignis (now part of Whirlpool) (electronics)
- Vibram
- Prealpi (cheese)
Varese is home to Malpensa International Airport, which serves the international traffic of Milan, Italy.
[edit] Education
Varese is the home of the European School, Varese, a European School established in 1960 for the children of European Union staff.
[edit] Notable People
- PFM band member Flavio Premoli.
- Bruno Ermolli
- Stefano Garzelli
- Paride Grillo
- Fabrizio Macchi
- Laura Macchi
- Roberto Maroni
- Andrea Meneghin
- Mario Monti
- Daniele Nardello
- Aldo Ossola
- Franco Ossola
- Francesco Vescovi
- Giuseppe Zamberletti
- Dino Meneghin
- Umberto Bossi
- Ivan Basso
- Alfredo Binda
[edit] Music Festivals
[edit] Sport
Varese is known for the european famous basketball giants Pallacanestro Varese which played, in the decade of 70ies, 10 European Champions Cup finals in a row and won 5 of them. A great achievement that has never been repeated.
- Pallacanestro Varese
- A.S. Varese 1910 (football)
- A.S. Mastini Varese Hockey
- Pro Tennis Team Varese
- 2008 UCI Road World Championships
[edit] External links
- History Art and Culture of Varese in the Italian Lakes
- Italian Lakes Photograph Gallery, Lake Varese Italian Lakes Photograph Gallery - Tourist Guide.
- Tourist information
- arci Varese, association for the promotion of social, Territorial Delegation
