Cult City #inLombardia

11 Cities of Art just waiting to be discovered, one after the other, which look to the future while proudly preserving stunning heritage.

Eleven Cities of Art just waiting to be discovered, one after the other.

Must-see masterpieces, special moments by the water, leisurely journeys of discovery, places where the horizon seems to stretch out in front of you, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, trip recommendations and loads of advice.

Get ready for a range of unique experiences in Lombardy’s 11 Cult Cities, which look to the future while proudly preserving stunning heritage.

Have you already chosen your first stop? Take a cue from our gallery or explore places of interest and experiences in each city, through the site navigation menu.

1. Bergamo — Upper Bergamo, Lower Bergamo, the Accademia Carrara and its masterpieces, the big festivals. Different faces of a single great beauty. Bergamo is just like Stendhal described it: “The most beautiful place on earth.” Palaces, towers and domes, all within a single embrace. The embrace of the city walls: built starting from 1561 by the Republic of Venice, the circle, just over five kilometres long, is perfectly preserved and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017.

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2. Brescia — The Roman town of Brixia alongside Renaissance elegance. The magic of the Opera and the ‘Mille Miglia’. This is Brescia, culture and passion. A journey through time. The city of Vespasian, the loungelike squares, the most popular “Festa dell’Opera” in the world, the roar of engines, Franciacorta.

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3. Como — A mediaeval heart for the city that loves science and designs with light. To be explored inside and out. Without ever losing sight of the lake. From the Tempio Voltiano to the neoclassical villas, passing through the historic centre and the secrets of silk.

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4. Cremona — The city where people come to learn the best trade in the world: that of the luthier. Capital of music and cradle of the violin, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. A concert at the Violin Museum’s Auditorium, the masterpieces of Stradivari and the operas of Monteverdi at the Teatro Ponchielli, the workshops of the luthiers, the view from Torrazzo.

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5. Lecco — A city to explore, starting from the traces of a timeless novel, “The Betrothed”. A story within the story. Poised between literature and reality. From the locations associated with Alessandro Manzoni to the noble profile of Monte Resegone, a neoclassical theatre, a cabinet of curiosities, and the splendid lake.

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6. Lodi — Ancient traces, scents and flavours. The contemporary touch of Renzo Piano and the new sacred site of the Tree Cathedral. Between sky, nature and relaxation. Lodi is a hidden gem set among the farmlands, plains and forests located on either side of the River Adda.

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7. Mantua — An unmistakable skyline reflects the history of the city of the Gonzaga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the grand exhibitions at Palazzo Te to the “Festivaletteratura” with its international guests and hundreds of readings.

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8. Monza — From the cathedral to the Villa Reale and the Design Museum. Off to the Autodromo for a spin on the track. A twospeed city. Ready to enchant us with recordbreaking masterpieces.

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9. Pavia — A city to be discovered slowly. On the trail of the Lombards or among the cloisters of the university. Without forgetting the heritage of flavours and labels. As you roam among the showcases of its museums, from that of comparative anatomy to Volta’s scientific cabinet, everything exudes science and history.

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10. Sondrio — Millenary traditions, roads to be explored on foot or bicycle, unique flavours. Viewed from Sondrio, Valtellina is even more beautiful. The stüe, or wooden rooms, and the terracing. The exploits of Orlando Furioso. A glass of Sforzato. Details that make Sondrio unforgettable Sondrio.

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11. Varese — From the gardens of Palazzo Estense to the infinite vistas of the Sacro Monte, from the frescoes of Masnago to the Isolino Virginia. To discover the other geometry of a city on a human scale.

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A day in the life of Leonardo

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The window on the river Po

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The magic of Varesotto's castles

A tour of Varesotto's castles: an itinerary to discover a regional area where time seems to stand still.

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The Violin’s Museum

on Google Arts & Culture!

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Insider Mantua

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Out of town escapes

Some suggestions for a romantic weekend or for sport, nature, art, culture, wellness and taste.

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Bergamo Città Bassa

Glimpses of ancient villages along the main communication routes between the upper city and the territory

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Bergamo in a weekend

A perfect square, the masterpieces of the Carrara Academy, the Venetian Walls Unesco World Heritage Site. Discover Bergamo!

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Castles Bergamo

Bergamo saw in the past the proliferation of fortifications. Many, today, castles to visit

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Museum Varese

Mummies, archaeological finds, design, ancient and contemporary art: museums to suit all tastes!

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Theaters Bergamo

The theatrical season of Bergamo accompanies us with a flourishing billboard of shows not to be missed

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Spring in Varese

Varese: walks, picnics, secret beaches. In the spring, spend a day outdoors in the land of the lakes.

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The mantuan locations in Rigoletto

Between reality and fantasy, a musical itinerary retraces the locations of Verdi's opera set in Mantua in the sixteenth century

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16th Olympic Games of Violin-making

4 settembre - 10 ottobre 2021

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The Fourteen Chapels of the Sacro Monte di Varese

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Lago di Iseo: history, nature and…

From the recently rediscovered Roman spa in Predore to the Liberty architecture of Sarnico, via the enchanting town of Lovere and surprising natural phenomena

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The Legend of the Giubiana

The Giubiana festival is a very popular tradition in Lombardy

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12 masterpieces in Lombardy

Among paintings, Monasteries, Basilicas: a treasure to be discovered in Lombardy

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Festival of Ethical Photography

Responsible photojournalism: The Festival of Ethical Photography

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Urban sculptures and works of art: Lombardy's open-air museum

Lesser known statues, monuments, and works of art, concealed within the streets and piazzas of Lombardy's cities: a prestigious artistic heritage is waiting to be discovered