In ancient times the appearance of Varese included the village, with the civil and religious center, and six "Castellanze" connected to it. The village was divided into seven "castellanze": Giubiano, Bosto, Casbeno, Biumo Inferiore and Superiore, Cartabbia and Bizzozero. The "Castellanze"were extra-urban centers, almost all built on hills, as possessed autonomous churches, mills, old farmhouses and inns, however, they were not independent from the village and from the point of civil and religious views and formed with it one body and indivisible: that is, "Varese and its Castellanze".
Once these groups of houses were separated from the center but over the years, they have been incorporated to the urban fabric of city.
Varese became capital of the province in the 1927, the municipal area was enlarged and came also included the "castellanze". The city center underwent a radical metamorphosis: Piazza Porcari and part of the late-medieval center were "gutted" to make way for modern Piazza Monte Grappa, where we find palaces Littorio style as the Palace of the Chamber of Commerce and other private buildings. The square is located a few meters from Porta Campagna and the Palazzo Estense, seat of the Town Hall.
From Palazzo Estense this itinerary for Old Town. It is a short "trip" within the city center, with the visit of main monuments and gardens. The Estense Palace was built between 1766 and 1771 by Giuseppe Bianchi, as an extension the existing Orrigoni Palace and was the residence of Francesco III of Este in the period of his Signoria.
Thanks to Estense Palace and numerous villas all with splendid eighteenth-century Italian gardens, Varese was called the little Versailles of Milan. Among the Varesini parks, the garden of Palazzo Estense is of great beauty: the garden in Italian style, with French-inspired elements, it is characterized by a large "parterre", a great "Bath" and paths bordered by hornbeams rise to the top of the hill, from where you it enjoys a splendid view.
The garden was built in conjunction with the building under the direction of Giuseppe Bianchi and the Duke of Este, but ended a few years later. For meet the needs of the Duke, a part of the Park was set up in "roccolo" for bird, while another area was dedicated to vegetable gardens. Building, and the park is accessed through the main door of honor.
The most interesting facade the building is the one facing towards the garden: it forms measured, typical of the style "Barocchetto Lombardo", with cornices in white contrasting with pink plaster.
The pediment is placed a sundial surmounted by the Este eagle.
The exterior facade, however, is simple and straightforward, with neo-classical influences. Worthy of note are the three portals of entry, placed at equal distance one from the other. The Hall of Honor (or Salone Estense), is rich of valuable elements, the frescoes illusionistic are of Borsellini; the big central medallion was painted by Giovan Battista Ronchelli of Cabiaglio.
Here the Duke Francesco III of Este was usually organize lavish receptions. Today it houses the municipal council.
original info by: varesecittagiardino.it
photo by: varesemia.com