The old part of the city of Varese is quite distinctive with ancient porticoes and galleries where the city’s traders have plied their wares since time immemorial. When strolling around the streets if you raise your gaze you can see the architectural features of the old city centre around which the life of Varese once revolved. Houses were usually built with the shop on the ground floor under a portico for protection from the rain, the home on the first floor and behind would have been gardens and a small vegetable patch to feed the household.

One of the public buildings in Varese that is well worth a visit is Palazzo Estense, which was the summer and autumn residence and court of Francesco III d'Este, the Duke of Modena and Lord of Varese. It was built to the designs of the architect Bianchi in the second half of the eighteenth century. The “Salone Estense” (Estense Hall) with its large fireplace made from multicoloured marble is quite stunning. Palazzo Estense is now the Town Hall.

Masnago Castle features architecture from many different periods ranging from the Middle Ages to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. With a tower and splendid frescoed interiors, this mediaeval fortress feels more like a stately home than a defensive stronghold. It is particularly renowned for the series of frescoes in the Room of Pastimes and the Room of Vices and Virtues.