Varano Borghi: Architecture and Industrial History on Lake Comabbio

Varano Borghi can be understood through its cultural and industrial history, as well as through the protected shoreline of Lake Comabbio. Points of interest include the Church of the Divine Redeemer, Villa Borghi, the Varano Borghi Cemetery and the beginnings of a cotton business in 1819. These themes offer different perspectives: architecture can be explored through building styles and historical models, while industrial history offers a glimpse into economic development. If you choose Varano Borghi as your destination, these themes can help you decide whether to focus on architecture, local history or the lake.

Architecture from different periods

The Church of the Divine Redeemer was built in the early 20th century as part of an urban redevelopment promoted by the Borghi family. The church was designed by engineer Paolo Cessa Bianchi. Its drawings reproduce the floor plan and elevations of the Collegiata di Castiglione Olona almost faithfully; the model dates from 1422 to 1425. The church’s period of construction and an older architectural model can thus be compared here.

Villa Borghi adds an elegant estate from the second half of the 19th century to this picture. It was built on the site of an existing building. Its eclectic Baroque forms provide a different architectural point of reference from the church’s drawings, which follow an older model.

The Varano Borghi Cemetery

The Varano Borghi Cemetery opened for burials in 1911. Architect Paolo Cesa Bianchi designed it on behalf of the Borghi family. The cemetery is also a stop on the Museo Diffuso di Varano Borghi route.

The Borghi Chapel

The Borghi Chapel has a gabled façade with a trifora, or a three-part window. Its ceramic decorations recall works by the Della Robbia family of masters. The window design and ceramics provide distinct architectural accents.

Industrial history since 1819

The origins of the Cotonificio e Villaggio Operaio di Varano Borghi date back to 1819. At that time, Pasquale Borghi, the head of the family, bought an old mill on the Torrente Brabbia river and a large part of the municipal area to establish a cotton business. Varano Borghi is also shaped by 19th-century industrial architecture. The founding event provides a specific point of departure in time, while the industrial architecture describes a broader influence on the built environment. Together, these aspects offer historical and architectural perspectives on the town’s industrial history.

The shoreline and finding your way around

The shoreline of Lake Comabbio in Varano Borghi is protected as a landscape. The Church of San Giuseppe is in the hamlet of Boffalora, near the lake shore. It is used for weekly Masses; if you would like to attend one, please check the current Mass times. The lakes’ cycling and pedestrian route also passes through the municipality of Varano Borghi.

Discover more destinations: Malnate, Bodio Lomnago, Castelveccana, Valganna, Vergiate, Tradate, Arcumeggia, Bassano

Go to the main travel overview: Varese.