Gavirate,
a captivating town located on
a sinuous shore of Lake Varese in the shade of gentle hilly slopes and a
short distance from the Varese Prealps in a very suggestive landscape
set that will undoubtedly cheers everyone as well as for the remarkable historical heritage that this center
possesses which was already known since
the seventh century BC.
A Celtic, Roman, Lombard and Frankish
settlement, Gavirate had other important chronological stages under the
influences of the Duchy of Milan and the Aragonese and Austrian
royal courts before entering the
Kingdom of Italy.
Apart the opportunity to
appreciate the historical and natural beauty of this locality In the Varese area you can discover
a local confectionery product that has conquered the palates of thousands and
thousands of people, namely the Brutti e Buoni di Gavirate, sweet delights that boast a
divine fragrance and a fame that began in the late 1900s.
I suggest
starting the visit by entering the picturesque hamlet of Voltorre located
at the foot of the Campo dei Fiori Massif Park where the magnificent 12th century
cloister stands, one of the
architectural masterpieces of the pure Romanesque-Lombard, a medieval treasure corresponding
to the Cluniac Abbey era that
reached the limelight during the period of the Benedictine Monks and
awarded as National Monument in 1911.
In addition to the cloister, the
complex has a tower and the Church with a beautiful portico with wooden rafters
completed by a series of beautiful columns with Ionic, Corinthian, Byzantine
and Greek capitals erected on a quadrangular perimeter.
Continuation
along the coast of Lake Varese, the tenth largest Italian lake basin with its
suggestive silhouette resembling a shoe that finds in Gavirate one of its most
fascinating shores, enlivened by small inlets, tiny bays and reeds inhabited by
numerous invertebrates, Herons, Night Herons, Little Bitterns and other
species of birds.
Afterwards you can move towards the beautiful
lakefront with an attractive Lido that leads to Piazza Matteotti
where the Palazzo Comunale stands, a beautiful building of 1823 by
the architect Giovanni Adamioli in which sinuous arches and a large
portico stand out.
Continuation
with the 18th century Parish Church of San Giovanni with three
naves remodeled on the remains of a building of the 400 with baroque and
neo-classical forms in which a large tympanum and refined columns that form an
elegant portico next to a high bell tower stand out.
You will then admire the splendid medieval Torrazzo raised
behind the apse of the ecclesiastical body, an imposing structure without
plaster, decorated with protruding pilasters.
Do not miss to visit the Church of the Trinity, a religious structure with a
beautiful façade with three arches and a portico dating back to 1647 used
in the past as a Lazzaretto and
restored in 1923.
To end the visit you can enter the fascinating hamlet of Ca'
dei Monti on the slopes of the summit of Sass Gross, an area adored by countless trekking fans thanks
to the presence of suggestive, steep paths that cross the unforgettable Campo
dei Fiori Park among extensive beech and chestnut groves.
This area is also a destination
for passionate mushroom hunters with woods rich in edible chestnuts where you
will seea
on a picturesque hilly
relief the Church of the Lazzaretto, a small chapel with a fresco
depicting St. Charles.
Then I
recommend visiting a Pastry Shop-Laboratory that produces the famous Brutti e Buoni,
iconic baked goods created in 1878 by Costantino Veniani with an old recipe
jealously preserved, although these desserts according to some historical
rumors were originally generated by the desire to improve some dry biscuits and
also had honey as an ingredient in some elaboration experiments.
Their name
derives from their not entirely orthodox profile, aesthetically a little rough
while the second word, simply for their divine goodness.
These sweets
were then produced on a large scale in the province of Varese becoming one of
the refined delicacies of the Gaviratese artisan pastry shop and today they are
made manually, wrapped in tissue paper so as to look like large candies and
packaged faithful to the old traditions.
The primary
ingredients and the preparation of this confectionery masterpiece precede a
whipping of egg white left at room temperature by adding almonds and ground
walnuts toasted with sugar, vanilla, icing sugar and then being filled with the
syringe method.
There are ariants created with the use of dark chocolate, turnip coconut
flakes or cinnamon.The dough of each piece is shaped
into the typical round shape before being subjected to cooking which will take
place in a ventilated oven at 125.0
degrees for about 30 minutes.
If you want
a golden shade, the solution is very simple, letting it cook
for 15 minutes further, while a second step of another half hour at very low
temperatures will be carried
out to dry the base.
The Brutti e Buoni have a rounded shape weighing
between 8.0 and 10.0 grams. Their flavor is sublime,
starring the unique special and delicate aroma of vanilla alongside the
fragrance of walnuts and almonds, qualities that have made these delicacies
very versatile, perfect if accompanied by dessert wines, sparkling wines,
enjoyed with coffee, cappuccino, chocolate, tea and excellent with creams.
The
packaging takes place in cubic boxes in lilac, blue, pink and green colors with
a weight ranging between 30, 45 and 60 grams closed by a ribbon with a
bow on the upper surface while the plastic bags of 100.0 and 200.0 grams have a
cardboard closure at the top with the golden label of the manufacturer in the
middle while the metal boxes are of 150,
250, 350 and 500 grams.
Time for
your lunch of the day remaining in the traditional, local cuisine I recommend Homemade
Potato Gnocchi with Tomato and Basil Sauce or Mezze Maniche with pepper,
taleggio cheese and bacon belt, second courses with the option of Roast Veal or
Steamed Trout with green sauce both served with a side of fresh vegetables.
Visiting Gavirate
is a wonderful experience that combines art, history, Lake Varese and its
nature and confectionery products of great importance, a day of tourism that
will surely leave you satisfied in admiring this corner of Italy that offers
many attractions.
Link : https://www.comune.gavirate.va.it/hh/index.php
http://www.bruttiebuoni.it/Home.html
Where to
Stay | Recommeded Accomodation
Terrazza Mirabella
Tramonto
al Lago
