Ispra
Discovering Ispra: a town between lake and hills
Hello friends, let me tell you about Ispra, a small municipality in the province of Varese in Lombardy, overlooking the left bank of Lake Maggiore. With its 5301 inhabitants, Ispra is a place worth visiting, especially if you love nature, history and culture.
Physical geography: a breathtaking landscape
The territory of Ispra is characterized by Lake Maggiore, on which it overlooks with a long coast called "sponda magra" or "flowered coast". The landscape is also shaped by the presence of some hilly reliefs, such as Monte del Prete and Monte dei Nassi, which enter the lake forming small coves. The rocks and traces of ancient lime kilns testify to the rocky and rough nature of this landscape. The altitude varies from 193 meters above sea level to 311 meters above sea level.
Toponymy: the origin of the name
According to the para-etymology of Gaudenzio Merula, the name "Ispra" would derive from the rocky and rough nature of the landscape. The toponym appears for the first time on a parchment of 826 preserved in the State Archive of Milan. In the past, Ispra was also known as "Ispolla", as can be seen on the map of the Duchy of Milan preserved in the Gallery of Geographic Maps of the Vatican Museums.
History: traces of prehistory and the middle ages
The territory of Ispra was inhabited since prehistoric times, as evidenced by the findings of flint artifacts in the Lavorascio area. In the Isola Bella Museum on Lake Maggiore, there is a prehistoric canoe found in the peat bog beneath the hill of Barza.
In the Middle Ages, Ispra was already an inhabited center of some importance. In the thirteenth century, it had seven churches and chapels, while the nobles of the town contributed to the construction of the nearby Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso in Leggiuno. In this historical period, Ispra was also the scene of a bloody battle between the Torriani and the supporters of Archbishop Ottone Visconti for the dominion of the State of Milan.
Places to visit: between nature, history and culture
Now I will tell you about some of the most interesting places to visit in Ispra.
Joint Research Center (JRC)
The Joint Research Center (JRC) is one of the most important places in the town. This European Union research center occupies about one-third of the municipal territory and has a great impact on the local economy. The JRC deals with various research areas, including health, food safety, energy and the environment.
Church of San Martino Vescovo
The Church of San Martino Vescovo is one of the seven churches of Ispra mentioned in medieval documents. It is said that this church was built by a pilgrim who, arriving in Ispra in search of work, decided to stay to dedicate himself to the construction of the church.
National Museum of the Prehistoric Canoe
The National Museum of the Prehistoric Canoe is located a few kilometers from Ispra, on the shores of Lake Varese. The museum houses the prehistoric canoe of Ispra and other archaeological finds that testify to human life in the lake area.
Parco della Quassa
The Parco della Quassa is a green area of about 43 hectares that extends between Ispra and Angera. The park is crossed by the small Quassera river and is the ideal place for a walk in nature. The park also hosts some cycle-pedestrian paths and an equipped picnic area.
Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso
The Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso is located a few kilometers from Ispra, on the opposite shore of Lake Maggiore. This ancient monastery, nestled in the rock overlooking the lake, is a place of great suggestion and spirituality. According to legend, the saint withdrew to this place to live an ascetic life.
What to eat in Ispra: traditional Lombard dishes
Ispra is located in the province of Varese, an area of Lombardy characterized by a very tasty traditional cuisine. Among the typical dishes of Lombard tradition, I recommend trying polenta and bruscitt, a cut of horse meat cooked in the oven. Moreover, you cannot miss the cheeses, such as gorgonzola and taleggio, and the typical local sweets, such as panettone and pandoro.
How to get to Ispra: all useful information
Ispra is easily reachable by car or by train. The town is located a few kilometers from the A8 Milan-Lakes motorway and from the Sesto Calende railway station. Moreover, the Milan-Domodossola railway line also stops at the lspra station.
I hope that my story has made you discover an enchanting place, where nature, history and culture blend together to create a unique atmosphere. If you decide to visit Ispra, do not forget to take many photos and try all the typical dishes of Lombard tradition. Happy journey!
