Bernate Ticino: History and Nature

Bernate Ticino brings together architectural history, archaeological finds and nature observation along the Lanca di Bernate. The Chiesa di San Giorgio bears traces of different eras, while other historic buildings take centre stage in Rubone. Along the Lanca and near the La Ripa woodland, visitors can observe wildlife and habitats and follow a nature trail. This offers different ways to plan your visit, focusing either on local and cultural history or on nature.

Churches and historic buildings

The present-day Chiesa di San Giorgio features a 17th-century design, with remains of an older structure incorporated into its façade. Its bell tower is in the late Gothic style and has biforate windows and small arches. The church includes a colonnaded crypt with a baptistery dating from the 13th century. Recent restoration work returned the crypt to its original appearance.

Art history is also represented at the Chiesa di San Giorgio: a 14th-century Gothic lunette is attributed to Bonino da Campione. It depicts the Madonna, the donor, Saint George and Saint James. The architecture and artwork thus offer different insights into the church’s history.

Palazzo Visconti is the residential wing of the Canonica and is also known as the “Castello” because of its distinctive forms. Its main façade faces the Naviglio. The building was constructed as a fortified castle in the 15th century and was later converted into a villa for holiday stays. Rubone also has a visible 15th-century watchtower. It probably belonged to the buildings used to control the Naviglio Grande.

Santa Maria della Pace in Rubone is believed to have been rebuilt in the 16th century by Tommaso Crivelli, possibly by altering a church that had already existed in the 14th century. The church was remodelled in the 18th century. Its construction history therefore includes some uncertainty about its origins, while the later remodelling is dated to the 18th century.

Archaeological finds and their dating

Celtic graves containing grave goods from the 3rd to the early 2nd century BC have been discovered in the Bernate Ticino area. Numerous burials from the Roman period have also been found there. The Celtic graves and Roman burials represent different periods in the area’s archaeological record. Materials from both excavation campaigns are displayed in a dedicated room at the Museo Civico G. Sutermeister in Legnano.

Nature along the Lanca di Bernate

Numerous waterbirds can be observed in the Lanca di Bernate area, including coots, moorhens, mallards, Eurasian teals and Eurasian wigeons. Birds of prey, foxes, hares, hedgehogs, several bat species and nutria can also be seen there. Sightings vary by season, so the time of year is a useful consideration if you are interested in wildlife.

There is a car park beside the La Ripa woodland, on the unpaved road from Bernate to the Lanca. A nature trail starts there, offering an easy way to observe animals and their habitats respectfully. The trail combines wildlife watching with a look at the habitats where the animal groups mentioned above live.

A path from the Lanca di Bernate leads to a clearing with the Calendario Celtico. At its centre stands a large, round granite stone engraved with signs of the Celtic zodiac. The grassy area is bordered by the same number of trees, each associated with the corresponding sign. Together, the stone, signs and trees form the clearing’s distinctive motif.

Bus travel

Movibus route Z641 runs via Castano Primo, Turbigo, Bernate and Magenta. If you plan to travel by bus, check the current timetable before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Bresso, Inveruno, Zibido San Giacomo, Biassono, Castano Primo, Cassinetta di Lugagnano, Buscate, Novegro-Tregarezzo.

See the main travel overview: Milan.