Cantello | Fine Art and Captivating Landscapes on the Italian-Swiss Border

 

 Cantello, attractive municipality in the province of Varese close by the Italian-Swiss border crossing of Gaggiolo and at the gates of the provincial territories of Como in a hilly territory with captivating landscapes highlighted by very captivating landscapes.

This site is located on a suggestive hill at 404.0 meters of altitude surrounded by dense woods rich in mushrooms, chestnuts and green fields and owes its importance in the industrial field to well-known sand quarries but famous for other reasons such as a renowned Bird Fair and for its legendary White Asparagus which for quality and genuine goodness is recognized nationally and internationally for this reason in its honor a famous A festival of great appeal.

This locality that rises among gentle, attractive hills was historically known since the time of the Golasecca Culture as an important Celtic and then Roman settlement before experiencing other fundamental stages in the Middle Ages with various governors such as Lombards, Franks, Milanese, Como and centuries later with the French and Austrians who contended for this very strategic territory geographically speaking.

I recommend starting the visit in the hamlet of Ligurno where you can admire one of the most important monuments of this municipality or the wonderful Romanesque Church of Santa Maria in Campagna.

 This architectural masterpiece dating back to the eleventh century was designed by the architect Lanfranco da Ligurno and in its beautiful complex stands a superlative bell tower built on the remains of a Roman watchtower.

The magnificent interior preserves beautiful frescoes of the 400 and 500 depicting the God Pantocrator, the Four Evangelists and a significant wooden sculpture of the Madonna del Rosario.

In the same hamlet you can stop in front of the Church of San Giorgio,  a late - fifteenth-century religious building although reformed in the following centuries acquiring a Baroque profile but preserving a beautiful portico of its original structure. Inside there are some valuable frescoes by the artist Carlo Cocquio who also painted a beautiful stained glass window depicting St. George.

Then we will reach the historic center where the Municipal Palace  stands which houses the Municipal Museum  in its rooms that we will visit to discover the sculptural works of talented local artists such as Bianchini, Broggi and Mena as well as works by the painter Cocquio.

In the exhibition you can see some fragments and finds from the Church of Santa Maria in Campagna and a very important sarcophagus from the Roman era.

Continuation with the Church of Saints Peter and Paul erected in 1700 which shows in its architectural profile a linear, sober but very orderly Baroque style and known for containing beautiful frescoes by Rossi, the usual Cocquio and refined decorations made by Baj.

 Outside the church you will notice a votive altar from the roman era. The discovery of this relic on the hill where the church was built is evidence of the presence of a Roman settlement in that place. The altar has an inscription that was studied by the famed German historian Theodor Mommsen.

Continuation then with the Oratory of San Lorenzo, a building erected on an octagonal plan of probable medieval origin which in 600 was used as a Lazzaretto and containing some frescoes of the excellent Lombard school.

In Cantello I recommend visiting a company dedicated to the cultivation and sale of the famous White Asparagus of Cantello , already known in ancient times and recorded in archives dated 1831 by the local parish priest who also decided with a conspicuous harvest to use the proceeds for ecclesiastical expenses.

In 1863 the asparagus of Cantello reached the Vatican on the occasion of a visit to Rome by pilgrims from Cantello who brought bundles of asparagus as a gift to Pope Pius IX.

These episodes increased the popularity of this asparagus already cultivated with excellent vintages although the exploit in terms of production cycles took place in the 30s with the inauguration of the Asparagus Festival in May 1939,  an event that is still celebrated and that attracts numerous visitors from other Lombard provinces and from nearby Switzerland offering in a festive atmosphere many opportunities for tasting and of course purchase.

Although for a few decades this asparagus achieved considerable success on national markets in the 70s there was a decline due primarily to the advent of agricultural mechanization, an era that gave priority to quantity rather than quality.

The return to the dawn took place at the beginning of the 90s with an excellent production that reached over 150 quintals of asparagus harvested annually and today this pride of Cantello rivals for the primacy in Lombardy with the famous Brianza asparagus of Mezzago and the Pavese asparagus of Cilavegna.

This plant belonging to the Liliaceae family is harvested between the months of March and June has found in this area its ideal habitat with a suitable soil for its growth, optimal climatic conditions even for seasonal storms that allow natural irrigation of the land used for cultivation.

The plantation takes place using organic fertilizers at an altitude of 410.0 meters in a plain that winds north-west of the town near Cascina Fo'.

The resistance of the shoot is capable of withstanding temperatures up to -15 degrees below zero . A mature specimen can be recognized by the "turion", i.e. the stem that emerges from the ground, scientifically known as "Rhizome" or called in jargon by various farmers as "paw" for its vague resemblance to an animal limb, a part that represents the edible section.

Rich in fiber, mineral salts and other elements such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, vitamins, with excellent indices of uric acid and a very firm pulp for these characteristics, Cantello asparagus is considered a very complete product.

Its structure differs considerably from other types of asparagus on the market, its white hue with a pinkish tip, the closed top of the rhizome bends without breaking, its flavor is very persistent even after cooking for this reason very popular in the gastronomic field and also after being purchased unlike others it can be kept without problems for 48 hours at a temperature of -4 degrees.

In the culinary field, Cantello asparagus is simply divine if included as a primary ingredient in risottos, omelettes, pasta dishes, excellent if combined with fried eggs, superlative if browned with both butter and olive oil and with a touch of balsamic vinegar of Modena, fantastic if covered with a gratin of Parmigiano Reggiano,  Grana Padano is very versatile with a wide range of other cheeses.

Time for your lunch, I recommend Risotto with Asparagus or Tagliatelle with Porcini Mushrooms among the first courses  , among the second courses option between Grilled Pork Ribs with Mixed Vegetable Flan or Veal Fillet with Thyme and Rosemary Potatoes.

A visit to Cantello is ideal for all those who love art, history, enchanting landscapes, the proximity of Switzerland and discovering a product such as the local white asparagus, an absolute delicacy.

Link : https://www.comune.cantello.va.it/

Where to Stay | Recommended Accommodation

Albergo Ristorante Madonnina

Casa Poldo