Holiday apartment in Saronno – Culture, History and Nature

Villas, Museums and Theatres

Villa Gianetti was commissioned and built by the Gianetti family in 1919 in the Lombard Neo-Renaissance style as an important example of the late phase of Eclecticism. The villa houses the De Rocchi Collection, dedicated to the painter Francesco De Rocchi, as well as the Cavallari Collection, dedicated to the soprano Giuditta Pasta. During opening hours, visitors can explore the collections independently or take a guided tour for small groups, free of charge.

The museum tour “La Divina | Giuditta Pasta” conveys the singer’s story through her diary, illustrated curtains and personal belongings. The Museo Giuseppe Gianetti opened in 1994 and houses precious ceramics from the 18th century and the present day in a villa dating from 1940. It was conceived as a place of remembrance and collecting, as well as a space for creative expression, documentation and research in the visual, plastic and decorative arts.

The MILS – Museo delle Industrie e del Lavoro del Saronnese preserves products and machinery from the most important companies that operated in the Saronno area. It covers the development of industry from the second half of the 19th century to the economic boom of the 1960s and includes important periods in Lombardy’s industrial history and that of production beyond the region.

For an evening of the performing arts, Teatro Giuditta Pasta offers a varied programme of drama, music, dance, opera, operetta and comedy. The theatre also offers educational and theatre workshops for people of all ages.

Casa Morandi and the History of the Place

Casa Morandi was established at the end of the 16th century under the name “Osteria dell’Angelo” as a place serving food to pilgrims visiting the nearby Santuario della Beata Vergine dei Miracoli. In the 18th century, Casa Morandi became one of the most important horse-post stations on the Milan–Como–Varese route towards the Alpine passes. The Biblioteca Civica in Casa Morandi displays four large-format paintings by Stefano Maria Legnani (Il Legnanino) from the early 18th century. They depict the myth of Bacchus and Ariadne based on Ovid’s Metamorphoses.

Amaretti, Amaretto and a Local Legend

Amaretti biscuits and Amaretto liqueur have made the name Saronno famous throughout the world. According to local legend, the origin of Amaretti di Saronno dates back to the visit of the Archbishop of Milan, Cardinal Benedetto Erba Odescalchi, to the Santuario della Beata Vergine dei Miracoli in 1718. At the time, a young couple is said to have prepared round biscuits from sugar, apricot kernels and egg whites.

Park, Meadows and Cycle Path

Parco territoriale di Saronno comprises around five hectares of reforested areas planted with native species and four hectares of accessible meadows. It also includes a picnic area with drinking fountains. A cycle path more than two kilometres long leads from the park in Saronno through a small woodland to Rovello Porro and then continues to Rovellasca. This means that, alongside museums and theatres, nature and cycling can also be included in your day plans.

Holiday Apartment in Saronno Suited to Your Travel Interests

When choosing a holiday apartment in Saronno, you can tailor the focus of your stay to these specific aspects: collections and paintings, industrial and local history, theatre and workshops, the Amaretti tradition, or the park and cycle path. The Saronno Centro station of Ferrovie Nord Milano is located alongside the Santuario della Beata Vergine dei Miracoli. This makes it possible to weigh up cultural, culinary and scenic interests when planning your stay.

More Places for Planning Your Trip

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To the higher-level travel overview: Varese.