Malgesso
Welcome to Lake Varese!
Hello friends! Are you ready to discover the beautiful Lake Varese? This splendid lake located at the foot of the Varesine Prealps is one of Lombardy's gems. Known for its unmistakable shoe shape, it is the tenth largest lake in Italy and twelfth overall. But it's not just its size that makes it special: Lake Varese is perfect for nature lovers and outdoor sports enthusiasts.
Formation
The history of Lake Varese dates back to about 15,000 years ago, when the retreat of the Lago Maggiore glacier created the large basin where the city and its lake are today, which at that time included most of the surrounding lakes.
The municipalities
Lake Varese borders nine Italian municipalities: Varese, Azzate, Bardello with Malgesso and Bregano, Biandronno, Bodio Lomnago, Buguggiate, Galliate Lombardo, Cazzago Brabbia, and Gavirate. This latter municipality has long been the main one overlooking the lake, which was once known as the "Lake of Gavirate." Moreover, Lake Varese together with six other lakes is part of the so-called "Seven Lakes" of the province of Varese.
Rowing
If you are a sports enthusiast, you must visit Lake Varese. In particular, this lake is renowned for rowing and hosts national and international rowing events. The Canottieri Varese, one of the organizers of these events, and the Canottieri Gavirate, who have won numerous awards, including the Montù Trophy in 2007, 2008, and 2009, are based on Lake Varese.
Ducks
If you love animals, Lake Varese will surprise you with its abundance of ducks. You can observe them swimming freely on the lake.
Virginia Islet
The small Virginia Islet, in the municipality of Biandronno, is probably the most interesting site on Lake Varese. This island has changed its name several times, but in 1878 its last owner, the Gallarate industrialist Andrea Ponti, named it Isolino Virginia in honor of his wife Virginia Pigna. Today, it preserves the remains of prehistoric pile-dwelling civilizations found in 1863. Thanks to the numerous archaeological finds, Lake Varese, together with Lake Monate, was included in 2011 among the UNESCO prehistoric pile-dwelling sites of the Alpine arc, the most important in the world.
New beaches
Recently, after 60 years of non-swimming, Lake Varese has become swimmable again. The beaches of Schiranna di Varese and Bodio Lomnago were made accessible from July 2, 2022, thanks to interventions aimed at restoring the water quality, carried out by the municipalities overlooking its shores, province of Varese, and Lombardy region.
Brabbia Swamp
Nestled between the basins of Lake Varese and Lake Comabbio, the Brabbia Swamp is a nature reserve that protects one of the best-preserved examples of lowland peat bog. The protected area covers 459 hectares and is a special place for nature lovers.
Conclusion
Yes, Lake Varese is an incredible experience: from breathtaking nature to archaeological finds, from outdoor sports activities to newly renovated swimmable beaches, this lake surely knows how to satisfy everyone's needs. So, what are you waiting for? Come and visit Lake Varese, we are sure you won't regret it!
