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The citadel of Sciences of Nature
Above the city among the cool forests of Campo dei Fiori, is the Citadel of the natural sciences founded in 1956 and named Virgil astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli. The Citadel includes Astronomical Observatory, Centre for Geophysical Prealpino with Wall Clocks and Seismological Observatory, the Park and the Botanical Gardens for the conservation of the flora of the Alps of Lombardy and the Botanical Research Centre. There, among the leaders of the fir trees, the silence of the valleys, the broad, beautiful scenery of mountain ridges and the vast Po Valley, for generations, alternate babies, children and scholars to probe stars and study the weather and climate.
The astronomical observatory "Schiaparelli"
The Observatory was built in 1963 and stands a 360 ° free horizon on top of the Campo dei Fiori share 1226
mt. Home to the Dome of the Levant, where there is installed the reflecting telescope, equipped with telescopes for astrophotography seekers and equipment and the Dome of the West with photographic camera. The second dome was completed in 1997.
City Park "Zambeletti"
Entitled to the pioneers of the mountain from Varese, the Park covers an area of approximately 60 hectares. On the north side overlooking the forest mixed with beech, spruce and hardwoods, while south of prevailing forest of spruce. Between 1904 and 1908 was created the first larch of Italy, consisting of 564 000 copies well.
Botanical Garden "Tomaselli"
It's for the collection and acclimatization of the flora of the Alps and Alpine Lombard foothills. The garden is organized according to courses specially marked and accompanied by display kiosks that explain issues to the naturalistic aspects of the Campo dei Fiori.
How to get there without a car:
Take the LeNord train from Milan Cadorna station, or the Trenitalia train from Porta Garibaldi Station. Check on the sites of the two railroad companies for their current schedules, both railways have two trains every hour. The stations of the two railroads in Varese are very close to each other, from the station it's a two hours walk to the top of the Sacro Monte. Approx. 1 hour.
These are the alternatives:
- Walk along the "Via Sacra" leaving the resort "First Chapel";
- Urban bus line "C";
From the Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) railway station in Varese: exit the station and keep to the right. The first street right is Via Paolo Maspero. Cross it and you'll see a newsstand. Turn right into Via Maspero and you'll see the "C" bus stop. Approx. 10 min.
From the Ferrovie Nord (FNM) railway station in Varese: exit the station and keep to the left. Turn left into Via Paolo Maspero; the "C" bus stop is ten meters after the newsstand. Approx. 10 min.
By bus
Buy an urban bus ticket (1 euro) in any newsstand in Varese. You must take the "C" bus in the direction of Sacro Monte. Approx. 20 min. From piazzale Pogliaghi, end of the line, there is a shuttle service to Campo dei Fiori.
- A funicular railway which can be reached starting only by bus from the first chapel.
Text and Photos courtesy in part of LeNord translated by Enrico
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