Gallarate is a town located in the province of Varese, in the Lombardy region, in the Northwest of Italy. The territory belongs to the Lombard Park of Ticino, it is essentially a plain territory, with in limits, the morainic hills of Ronchi and Crenna. The city is crossed by the Arno River. Increasing urbanization tends to form a unified urban nucleus comprising other neighbouring urban centres of the High Milanese to Legnano. Founded by the Gauls and the Romans conquered later, Gallarate was mentioned as an important vicus (village) in a document dated from the time of the conquest by the Romans which was then called Cisalpine Gaul. At the end of the first half of the 19th century the modern so-called industry has begun to spread in numerous regions of Italy. In a few decades, Gallarate confirms a long-standing vocation and became an industrial city which is strongly involved in the economic development of the Lombardy. The huge industrial complexes of the past disappeared but their high chimneys. can still be seen. These complexes have been transformed into modern shopping centres, craft centers and shops. Very near from the Milan-Malpensa airport, the city has taken advantage of its position between Varese and Milan, turning into a tertiary and commercial center more important. Many air transport companies are installed (Air Europe, Air Italy, Blue Panorama, etc) even as multinational companies (Louis Vuiton, Yamamay, etc.). Expo 2015 in Milan, will be installed next to FieraMilanoCity, well connected to Gallarate. To see: the Romanesque church Saint-Pierre (XI – XIII century), the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, the baroque Church of Sant’Antonio Abate, the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Campagna, the historical pharmacy Daho, the Crocetta (emblematic cross of devotion of the municipality erected in 1694 by Cesare Visconti in honour of the Virgin of the Pillar of Zaragoza), the former convent of St. Francis among others.
Tips
Due to its location, you’ll be comfortable to move in public transport and by car. The railway station is connected to all the most important cities in the region, very close to Milan and Varese, with service of train or bus to the airport which is located just a few minutes from the city.
The local cuisine has dishes that you should try at least once in your life, the cassole, the risotto, the polenta and the bruschetta are the best known dishes. But the city stands out for its amaretti, a kind of macaroon, elongated, very different from those, dry and round known in several countries, that have been registered in the list of traditional agri-food products of Lombardy. The most famous are those from the Bianchi pastry . So, go ahead on the spot drink a very good coffee and enjoy this delight.
