Gavirate

Access

Gavirate is easily accessible from Varese (about 7 km) and Milan (about 60 km). It is served by the Trenord Milan-Laveno railway line, with a central station close to the town centre, and by provincial car links connecting it to the main centres of the lake district. The nearest motorway is the Milan-Varese, with an exit at Buguggiate-Gazzada. The reference airports are Milan Malpensa (30 km) and Milan Linate (about 80 km).

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Introduction

Gavirate is a municipality in the province of Varese, Lombardy, located on the eastern shore of Lake Varese, at the foot of the Campo dei Fiori massif. The municipal territory extends over an area of moraine hills shaped by Quaternary glaciers, in a landscape that alternates between woods, wet meadows and bodies of water. The lake environment and proximity to the Campo dei Fiori Regional Park give Gavirate a remarkable natural variety, with ideal habitats for various species of water birds and small mammals. The town is developed in an area that enjoys a mild climate, thanks to the mitigating effect of the lake, and still retains a harmonious physiognomy between the historic centre and green areas.

Description

The origins of Gavirate date back to Roman times, as testified by the finds discovered in the area. In the Middle Ages it was part of the dominions of the monastery of San Gemolo di Ganna and, later, of the Visconti family of Milan. During the Renaissance and modern period it established itself as a small agricultural and craft centre, also favoured by the presence of communication routes that linked the lake region with Milan. The 19th century marked a period of economic and cultural development, with the construction of the railway and the establishment of cotton processing factories. Even today, evidence of industrial archaeology still remains, alongside Art Nouveau villas and gardens overlooking the lake, typical of the holiday resort of the time.
The local economy is based on a balance of crafts, small industry and tourism. The natural areas around the lake attract hikers, cyclists and birdwatchers, while the urban centre retains a lively commercial fabric, with markets and neighbourhood activities. The bicycle and pedestrian path that runs along the entire length of Lake Varese, about 28 kilometres long, is one of the most popular routes in the area and offers suggestive views of the pre-alpine landscape. Agriculture, although scaled down, maintains its importance with the production of fruit, vegetables and honey in the area.
From a cultural and traditional point of view, Gavirate is known for a number of popular events such as the Festa del Bèl Girìt, which recalls ancient spring rituals, and for the local cake, Brutti e Buoni di Gavirate, invented in the second half of the 19th century by the confectioner Costantino Veniani, which has become a typical Lombard product. The village is home to the parish church of San Giovanni Evangelista, the Romanesque church of San Michele al Verbano and several rural votive chapels. The Pipa Museum, housed in the ancient Voltorre cloister, contains more than 30,000 examples from all over the world and bears witness to the long tradition of local handicraft production.
The municipal territory is criss-crossed by several paths that connect the lake with Monte Campo dei Fiori and neighbouring towns, offering many possibilities for excursions on foot or by bicycle. Among the best known trails are the one to Monte Chiusarella and the one leading to the Sacro Monte di Varese, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The natural area of the Biandronno Marshes, located a short distance away, is a site of ornithological interest recognised at European level.

Information

Area: 13.3 km²
Altitude (centre): 262 m above sea level
Maximum elevation: Monte Chiusarella, 915 m
Number of inhabitants: approx. 9.200 (2024)
Inhabitants' names: gaviratesi
Patron Saint: St John the Evangelist (feast day 27 December)
Neighbouring communes: Bardello with Malgesso and Bregano, Cocquio-Trevisago, Comerio, Cazzago Brabbia, Barasso, Varese, Besozzo
Official website: www.comune.gavirate.va.it