Directory Cover & Region 2008 - 2009

About the Cover: The Certosa di Pavia or Charterhouse of Pavia (built c. 1396-1465) is a famous monastery complex in Lombardy, situated near a small town of the same name in the Province of Pavia.  It was once located on the border of a large hunting park belonging to the Visconti family of Milan, of which today only scattered parts remain. Certosa is the Italian name for a house of the cloistered monastic order of Carthusians founded by St Bruno in 1044 at Grande Chartreuse. The Certosa is renowned for the exuberance of its architecture, in both the Gothic and Renaissance styles, and for its collection of artworks which are particularly representative of the region. Gian Galeazzo Visconti commissioned the building of the Certosa, inaugurating the works and laying the foundation stone on August 27, 1396, as recorded by a bas-relief on the facade. The location was strategically chosen midway between Milan and Pavia, the second city of the Duchy, where the Duke held his court. The church, the last edifice of the complex to be built, was to be the family mausoleum of the Visconti. It was designed as a grand structure with a nave and two aisles, a type unusual for the Carthusian Order. The nave, in the Gothic style, was completed in 1465.

La Copertina: La Certosa di Pavia è un monastero, situato a circa 8 km a Nord di Pavia, risalente al XIV secolo. Rappresenta uno dei più importanti monumenti tardo-gotici italiani. La posizione originale del monastero era al margine del parco visconteo a nord del castello di Pavia; del parco sono oggi rimaste soltanto alcune parti (il Parco della Vernavola, a nord di Pavia) non più collegate al castello e alla Certosa. La costruzione della Certosa di Pavia fu voluta da Gian Galeazzo Visconti, che inaugurò i lavori il 27 agosto 1396, ponendo la prima pietra del cantiere. La posizione era strategica: a metà strada tra Milano, capitale del ducato, e Pavia, la seconda città per importanza, dove il duca era cresciuto e dove aveva sede la corte, nello splendido castello visconteo. Il luogo scelto per la fondazione era un bosco all’estremo nord dell’antico parco visconteo, una vastissima area recintata che collegava il castello pavese con un’ampia area boschiva adibita alle cacce dei signori della Lombardia.

*Since June 11, 2004 Monza has officially been designated the capital of the new province of Monza and Brianza. This new administrative arrangement will come fully into effect in 2009, and until then it will continue to be treated for many purposes as a comune within the province of Milan.

Lombardy can be divided into three main geological zones: mountains in the north, hills in the center, and plains in the south. South of the Alps proper, the Pre-Alps gradually flatten out, first into hills and then into the vast Padana plains. While the Po is the major Lombard River, several of its effluents, including the Adda, Oglio, Mincio, and Ticino, are also good-sized waterways. Lombardy is also dotted with lakes, the largest of which Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano and Lakes Como, Iseo, and Garda. One-sixth of Italy’s population lives in Lombardy and about one fourth of Italy’s GDP is produced in this region. Many foreign and national companies have their headquarters and factories in Milan and its province. Manufactures include iron and steel, cars, electronics, mechanics components, chemical products, textiles, furniture, leather, shoes and many others. The productivity of agriculture is enhanced by a well-developed use of fertilizers and the traditional abundance of water, boosted since the Middle Ages by the construction (partly designed by Leonardo Da Vinci) of a wide net of irrigation systems. Lower plains are characterized by fodder crops, which are mowed up to eight times a year, cereals (rice, wheat and maize) and sugar beets. Productions of the higher plains include cereals, vegetables, fruit trees and mulberries. The higher areas, up to the Pre-alps and Alps sectors of the north, produce fruit, vines, and olives. This area is also where cattle (with the highest density in Italy), pigs and sheep are raised.

History - In the pre-Roman era, Celtic tribes inhabited the territory north of the Po. In the 3rd century B.C. when it was conquered by the Romans who annexed it to their Gallia Cisalpina, the major Lombard centers were Milan, Pavia, Brescia, Bergamo, and Mantua. In the 4th century, Milan, foremost city in a region that had come to play a key role in the events of the day, was made capital of the Empire of the West. Thereafter, however, hordes of barbarians (Huns and Ostrogoths) swept through the region. In the 7th-8th centuries, they were followed by the Longobards (after whom Lombardy - originally Longobardia - was named), who in turn were supplanted by Charlemagne’s Franks. By the 9th century, Lombardy had disintegrated into a myriad of tiny fiefdoms. In the 12th century, some of these had become free communes, the most important of which were Milan, Brescia, Como, Pavia, and Mantua - constantly bickering among them. They joined together, however, to defeat a common enemy from without, Frederick Barbarossa, who was beaten at Legnano in 1176 by the alliance of communes known as the Lombard League. The following years were hardly peaceful while the mighty families busily engaged in their bloody power struggles. The victors, the Visconti, ruled Lombardy unchallenged up through the Renaissance. After the fall of the Visconti Signoria, Lombardy became part of Charles V’s Hapsburg Empire (later the Spanish Empire under Philip II), and then the Austrian Hapsburg Empire, until Napoleon conquered it and incorporated it into his Cisalpine Republic (1797). In the 1800s the Hapsburgs returned. Patriotic fervor against the Austrians was, however, intense. The uprising culminating in the famous Cinque Giornate di Milano (Five Days of Milan) in 1848 led to the ousting of the Austrian commander Radetzky. Garibaldi’s patriots and the Piedmont army liberated the region once and for all. Today, Lombardy ranks as Italy’s foremost industrial region.

Art - The scanty Roman remains are mainly concentrated in the Milan and Brescia areas. There are outstanding examples of Early Christian and medieval metal crafting in several Lombard centers, e.g., the Treasury of Monza, the Vuolvinius Altar in Sant’Ambrogio, and the Brescia collections. Of great interest are the medieval frescoes of Santa Maria di Castelseprio. Lombard art developed considerably in the middle ages. Among the finest buildings erected during this period are the basilicas of San Michele Maggiore in Pavia, and Sant’Ambrogio in Milan. Lombard painting, on the other hand, developed relatively late (around the 14th century) when Giovanni da Milano and Giovannino de’ Grassi (a miniaturist) were active. Painters such as Bembo, the Zavattaris, and Foppa dominated the 1400s. In terms of architecture the 15th century was the period of great undertakings, i.e., the Duomo of Milan (not finished, however, until five centuries later), the Duomo of Como, and the Charterhouse of Pavia. In addition, decoration of these huge buildings also required the services of an army of sculptors and artisans. The Renaissance produced a true flowering of Lombard art, thanks chiefly to the impressive output of architects of the ilk of Bramante in Milan and Leon Battista Alberti and Giulio Romano in Mantua, not to mention painters such as Bernardino Luini, Boltraffio, and Ambrogio De Predis (the three best-known followers of Leonardo), Lotto, Savoldo, and Romanino (from Brescia), and Moroni (from Bergamo). The Baroque period was equally exciting: the great Lombard villas were commissioned and Caravaggio, from the Lombard town of the same name, painted his revolutionary canvases. Artistic production did not let up in the 18th and 19th centuries, and continues intense and innovative to this day.

Health & Well-Being - Water has always been a great source of wealth for Lombardy. Water does not only mean the great lakes or rivers, together with the network of canals fed by them, but also mineral and thermal waters, whose healing properties have been known for centuries and which offer “alternative” natural treatments for all kinds of ailments, as well as beauty treatments, and relaxation, for a sense of well-being that is not only physical but comes also from inner harmony. There are many thermal springs in Lombardy and the waters from each one have different properties, indicated in the treatment of specific conditions. The waters come from a great depth and are enriched with various mineral salts as they cross the different layers of the subsoil. The heat increases where they cross volcanic rocks.  The waters resurface when they reach non-permeable rock or clay, thus giving rise to the numerous thermal springs in the region, each one of which has its own specific characteristics. The treatment centre’s which grew up around these springs now offer natural therapies for treating a wide range of ailments and illnesses, as well as complementary therapies - from music therapy to acupuncture, from shiatsu to reflexology - which offer holistic treatments for total well-being, both physical and mental.

Mountains - The mountains of Lombardy, whose sides have been the “gymnasium” of great climbers who participated in expeditions to the highest summits all over the world, are also the paradise of skiers with their huge ski resorts and their modern ski-lift facilities.  The Lombard mountains represent a naturalistic and wonderful destination for lovers of all alpine sports. ?Along the bright white valleys, there are more than 590 km of cross-country slopes that, at the beginning of summer, enrich the naturalistic itineraries with over 2.620 km of signaled paths and more than 770 km of promenades, cycle paths and mountain bike tracks.

Sports - In Lombardy sport runs in the blood. Thanks to its natural abundance of diverse landscapes and weather, from the high Alpine peaks to the lakes with their legendary mild climate and the Po Plain, whatever sport one wishes to pursue, this is the place to do it.  All sorts of matches and competitions are held regularly thanks to the excellent facilities of this sport-loving region, from climbing glaciers to parachuting, cross-country skiing and river rafting.

Cuisine & Typical Products - Lombard cuisine is famous for variety and top quality produce. Excellent meat, cheeses (crescenza, stracchino, mascarpone, gorgonzola, and quartirolo), butter, rice, and vegetables are produced in the Lombard countryside. Each city boasts its own specialties. Milan is famous for risotto (rice with saffron) and minestrone with rice, osso buco, cassoeula (pork and vegetable dish of Spanish origin), carpaccio (flavored raw meat), and naturally panettone, which has become Italy’s favorite Christmas cake. Como (and the lake region in general) offers fish specialties, e.g., missoltitt (dehydrated fish), perch, trout, and eel (typical of the Lake Garda area). Pavia specialties include rice dishes (with frog meat or river shrimp), zuppapavese (slices of bread floating in broth with a fried egg on top), and salami. The Valtellina region offers numerous gastronomic treats: pizzoccheri (cornmeal noodles flavored with vegetables and cheese), polenta taragna (cornmeal with melted butter and mild cheese). Bergamo’s specialties are casonsei (ravioli), polenta col brasato (stewed meat and cornmeal), and game birds. The cuisine of the Mantua-Cremona region, while somewhat influenced by the rich Emilian cooking style vaunts its own original dishes, especially first courses: tagliatelle, tortelli di zucca (squash pasta) agnolini, and risotto alla pilota (flavored with salami and cheese). Cremona is best known for a pork dish (rostisciada), mostarda di frutta (stewed fruit, like apricots, melons, cherries etc. in a sweet or piquant mustard sauce), and torrone (nougat), which is said to have been created here in October 1441, in honor of the marriage of Bianca Maria Visconti and Francesco Sforza. The annual Festa del Torrone is held in Cremona in the main piazza on the third Sunday in October. The finest local wines are Pinot and Sassella, as well as those produced in the Garda and Valtellina regions. Lombard craftsmen are famous for their carpets (i.e., the bright-hued pezzotti made in the Valtellina), musical instruments (Cremona), and furniture (Brianza). 

BERGAMO - Founded by the Orobi in the pre-Roman era, the city was renamed Bergheim by the Gallic tribes that later settled it. Then, when the Romans conquered it in 197 B.C. its name was changed to Bergomum. Plundered by Attila and his Huns in the 5th century, it became a Longobard possession in the 6th century. Later a free commune, it participated in the Lombard League’s successful attempt to oust Frederick Barbarossa. Unfortunately, mainly due to fierce squabbling with its allies and neighbors that drained it over the years, it could not withstand the onslaught of the Venetians, under whose control it remained for four hundred years. In the 19th century it was taken over by the Austrians who ruled until Garibaldi’s army liberated it in 1859. The city is divided into two sections, Bergamo Alta (High) and Bergamo Bassa (Low). Most of the sights are in the hilltop section, i.e., the old city enclosed within 16th century Venetian-built walls, as opposed to the underlying area, which is mostly modern and industrial. During the Lent period a fascinating local festival is held called the Rogo Della Vecchia, it consists of dances, fireworks, and a parade of costumes. (Fittingly enough, the most famous Italian maschera, Harlequin, comes from Bergamo.) The composer Gaetano Donizzetti is perhaps the city’s best-known native son. Bergamo is the traditional birthplace of Arlecchino and Brighella, two popular characters of the commedia dell’arte.

Gallery of the Carrara Academy - This prominent painting collection was started by Count Giacomo Carrara in 1795. Although it includes works from various periods and schools, its main focus is on Bergamasco painting from the 14th through 19th centuries. 

Piazza Vecchia - Three major architectural monuments stand on the square: the 17th century Palazzo della Biblioteca, the 14th-15th century Palazzo dei Podestà (City Hall), and the Palazzo della Ragione, an 11th century building remodeled by Pietro Isabello in the 16th century.  This palazzo is connected to Piazza del Duomo by way of an arcade. In the middle of the square is an 18th century fountain. The bell tower, the Torre del Comune, dates from the 12th century.

Colleoni Chapel - This splendid Renaissance creation was designed by Amadeo in 1476 as the tomb of Bartolomeo Colleoni, the celebrated Condottiero of the Venetian army. Inside are the tombs of Colleoni and his daughter Medea, both by Amadeo, as well as frescoes painted by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.

Santa Maria Maggiore - This church, a 12th century Romanesque building, has no real facade. The fine 14th century porch comes out by the Colleoni Chapel.

Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio - This National Park, in the northeast of Italy, was founded in 1935. The Park is the largest in Italy and covers part of two regions: Trentino-Alto Adige and Lombardia, in 24 municipalities. The Stelvio National Park, borders on the Swiss National Park, on the Parco naturale provinciale dell’Adamello-Brenta and on the Parco regionale dell’Adamello. All these parks together make a huge 400,000 hectares of protected nature. The park includes an extensive territory of valleys and high mountains, from the 650 to 3,900 meters. Wandering in the Stelvio National Park, you can encounter chamois, roe deers, red deers, foxes, ermines, squirrels, marmots, hares, Eurasian badgers, weasels and brown bears.  In the sky, you can see white partridges, lammergeyers, imperial crows, carrion crows, woodpeckers, sharp-tailed grouses, buzzards, owls and golden eagles. 

BRESCIA - The modern-looking industrial city of Brescia actually originated as a pre-Roman settlement. Thereafter a Gallic center, it was subjugated by the Romans who renamed it Brixia. Afterwards it became a Longobard duchy and, as a free commune, joined forces with its neighbors in the Lombard League. Between the 13th and 15th centuries it was ruled by a succession of Signorie (Ezzelino da Romano, Scaligeri, and Visconti) until 1426 when it became part of the Republic of Venice. Brescia was at the forefront in the fight to oust the Austrians. In addition to Roman ruins and medieval art, there are fine examples of Renaissance art (e.g., paintings by Foppa, Romanino, Moretto, and Savoldo).

Rotonda - This stupendous Romanesque building, erected in the 11th century on the site of a pre-existing basilica, was originally the cathedral of Brescia. Works by Moretto and Romanino adorn a somewhat plain interior.

Broletto - Brescia’s City Hall was built between the 12th and 13th centuries, although it was later extensively remodeled. The flanking tower, the Torre dei Popolo, dates from the llth century.

Capitoline Temple - The ruins of the temple built under the Emperor Vespasian in 73 A.D. include the hexastyle porch with its Corinthian columns and the cella. Inside is the Roman Museum whose exhibits comprise mosaics, ceramics, and statues (among which the celebrated 1st century A.D. Winged Victory) excavated in this area, the Roman city of Brixia.

Pinacoteca Tosio Martinengo - The museum, which is housed in a 16th century palace, Palazzo Martinengo da Barco, provides a comprehensive panorama of Brescian pre-Renaissance and Renaissance painting.

Valle Trompia - This valley (50 km long) runs from North to South, from the Tre Valli crystalline massive to the plain of Brescia. It shows no sign of glacial geomorphologic activity and includes the Mella River. The name originates from the ancient-Rhaeto people, the Trumpilini, the conquest of which by part of the Romans was more difficult than that of Cenomani of Brixia. Trumpilini people were listed as first in the Trophy of Augustus, a Roman monument erected between 25 -14 BC, near La Turbie.  The presence in the high part of the valley of mineral veins promoted important mining activity. This encouraged the development of iron manufacturing for the production of weapons. For this reason, under the Venetian domination, the valley was given a special autonomy and a lighter tax regime.

Limone Sul Garda - Despite the presence of famous cultivations of lemons (the meaning of the city’s name), the town’s name is probably derived from the ancient lemos (elm) or limes.  In 1863-1905 the denomination was Limone San Giovanni. Until the 1940’s the city was reachable only by the lake or through the mountains, with the road to Riva del Garda being built only in 1932, but today Limone is one of the most renowned tourist resorts in the area. In 1979 researchers discovered that people in Limone possess a mutant form of Apo lipoprotein (called A-1 MILANO) in their blood that induced a healthy form of high-density cholesterol, which resulted in a lowered risk of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. This discovery took the medical world by storm.  Since 1979 Limone has hosted four congresses on its Apo lipoprotein, as researchers seek to duplicate the town’s magic protein into a serum for all.

Sirmione - “it is the jewel of peninsulas and islands, both”. (Catullus) The first traces of human presence in the area of Sirmione dates from the 6th-5th millennia BC. The main historical landmark of Sirmione is the so-called Grotto of Catullus (Grotte di Catullo), the most striking example of Roman private edifice. Sirmione was a possession of the Republic of Venice from 1405 until 1797, when it was acquired by Austria. It became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1860. The Romans had built two castles, two harbors, a settlement and the gigantic villa that rises on rocks and powerfully towers on the lake. On the foundations of the old eastern harbor, the Scaliger’s later built their famous fortress: a charming, graceful yet strong and imposing bulwark, one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. The numerous villas, churches such as Santa Maria Maggiore’s and San Pietro in Mavino’s, the wonderful frescoes, unique portals, belfries, battlements, arches and columns, the hamlets of Lugana and Colombare, which like inviting gardens lead to the centre of the town. English writer Naomi Jacob lived in Sirmione until her death in 1964.  A small plaque in Sirmione commemorates her.

COMO – This is one of the most popular lake resorts in Italy.  It is situated on the tip of the western branch of Lake Como. The town’s clearly marked grid layout testifies to its Roman origin. (The Romans in fact, settled it in 89 B.C.) A long-standing enemy of Milan in the middle Ages, it nevertheless succumbed to Francesco Sforza in the 14th century. Famous native sons include Pliny the Elder, Pliny the Younger (1st century AD.), and the scientist Alessandro Volta (18th-19th centuries). Among the sights: the 15th century Duomo the Broletto City Hall (1215), the nearby church of San Fedele, and the Museo Civico (on Via Vittorio Emanuele II). Outside the downtown section are the Romanesque basilica of Sant’Abbondio and the Tempio Voltiano (1927) at the end of the picturesque Lungolario. Como is well known worldwide as the capital of the silk industry. Como has been making silk since Marco Polo first returned with silkworms from China. Designers such as Giorgio Armani and Bill Blass come here to discuss the patterns they want with silk manufacturers.

Lake Como - Romantic Lake Como has inspired writers, artists and musicians from Pliny the Younger in Roman times to 19th century romantics such as French novelists Stendhal and Flaubert and Italian composer Rossini.  Also called Lake Lario, it is fed by the Adda River, which descends from Valtellina and comes out at Lecco, the easternmost of Lake Como’s three branches. The scenery along the shores and its environs is unforgettable. The region is popular with vacationers not only for it’s setting, but also for its mild climate. In addition to Como, there are several other charming towns located on the shores of Lake Como including Cernobbio, Tremezzo, Cadenabbia (famous for an estate, Villa Carlotta, built in 1747), Menaggio, Grayedona (vaunting a lovely 12th century Romanesque church, Santa Maria del Tiglio), Bellano, Varenna, Lecco (today an active little city, once the home of Alessandro Manzoni, who set his novel (The “Betrothed”) here, and Bellagio (whose superb wood side setting and fine hotels made it an attractive vacation spot). Worthwhile sights include an 11th century monastery, the Abbey of Piona, a treasure house of 13th century artworks, and several villas in the Bellano area. Of the estates, the most famous are Villa Melzi, built in the 19th century, and Villa Serbeioni, remodeled in the 18th century and set in the midst of a huge park.

Bellagio - Bellagio is with much justification given the label of “The Pearl of Larius.” It has also been called “the prettiest town in Europe.” A sleepy veil hangs over the arcaded streets and little shops. Bellagio is rich in memories, having attracted fashionable, even royal visitors such as Leopold I of Belgium, who used to own the 18th-century Villa Giulia. Bellagio always seems to be flag-bedecked, with geraniums ablaze in every window and bougainvillea veiling the staircases that thread through the town. One can linger all day watching the ferries gliding to and fro over the mountain-bound lake.  Gabriel Faure, a French composer, called Bellagio “a diamond contrasting brilliantly with the sapphires of the three lakes in which it is set”.

Isola Bella (Beautiful Island) - This is one of the Borromean Islands of Lago Maggiore in north Italy. The island is situated in the Borromean Gulf, 400 meters from the lakeside town of Stresa. Isola Bella is 320 meters long by 400 meters wide and is entirely occupied by the Palazzo Borromeo and its Italianate garden. The island achieved its highest level of social success during the period of Giberto V Borromeo (1751 – 1837) when guests included Edward Gibbon, Napoleon and his wife Joséphine de Beauharnais, and Caroline of Brunswick, the Princess of Wales. It is said that Caroline, having fallen in love with the place, did her best to convince the Borromeo family to sell her Isola Madre or the Castelli di Cannero islands; in the event she established herself on the banks of Lake Como at Cernobbio in the Villa d’Este.

CREMONA – This city is famous for their cathedral, Monteverdi, nougat and the best violin making in the world.  Situated along the Po River, Cremona was settled by the Romans in 218 B.C. during the second half of the 1st century AD.  After an unsuccessful uprising, the city was plundered by Vespasian’s army. It enjoyed its greatest splendor as a free commune during the 11th through the 14th centuries. In the Renaissance, engulfed by the Visconti’s into their Duchy of Milan, it continued to prosper economically and culturally. Among the painters active at the time were the Bembos, the Campis, and Boccaccio Boccaccino. Cremona has a distinguished musical history. It is where the violin was developed.  The instrument maker Andrea Amati made the first ones in the 1530’s and they soon became popular with the royal courts throughout Europe because of their superior tone to the medieval fiddle.  It was Antonio Stradivari, known as Stradivarius (1644 - 1737) the pupil of Andrea Amati’s grandson Niccolò – who raised the level of craftsmanship to genius. Stradivarius produced more than 1,100 violins in his workshop, of which more than 400 exist to this day and remain unrivalled by modern techniques or equipment.  Nowadays there are important ensembles for Renaissance and Baroque music, i.e. Choir & Consort Costanzo Porta, and festivals that maintain Cremona as one of the most important towns in Italy for music. Most of the main sights are clustered in downtown Piazza del Comune. The principal museums are the Museo Civico on Via Palestro and the Stradivarius Museum in Piazza Marconi.

Piazza del Comune - This ranks as one of the finest medieval squares in Italy. The buildings around it are the Duomo, the Torrazzo Tower, the Baptistry, the Loggia dei Militi (the meeting-place of Cremona’s Citizens’ Militia built in 1292), and the Palazzo del Comune. Exhibited inside the latter, an extensively remodeled 12th century building, are three violins revealing the incredible level of workmanship reached by the local craftsmen.

Duomo - The church is a superb example of 12th-13th century Lombard school architecture. The facade porch vaunts reliefs crafted by followers of Benedetto Antelami (13th century).

Torrazzo - The 111 meter-tall tower alongside the Duomo was started around the middle of the 13th century and completed in the early 1300s. Its great clock was installed in 1583 and painted in 1671. The view from the top of the Torrazzo is breathtaking.

LECCO - Archaeological finds demonstrate the presence of Celtic settlement in the area before the arrival of the Romans. The latter built a castrum here and made it an important road hub. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the Lombards captured the town in the 6th century; they were followed by the Franks, who made Lecco the seat of a countship and, later, of a frontier mark. Emperor Otto I spent a long time in Lecco, quenching the 964 revolt against the Holy Roman Empire led by Lecco’s count Attone. Later it became a possession of the Milanese monastery of St. Ambrose. Conrad II also stayed in Lecco, in the attempt to free it from the church, but as the result of the ensuing wars the city was subjected by Milan. It subsequently followed the history of the Duchy of Milan and of Lombardy. In the early 16th century, Lecco was briefly ruled by the condottiere, Gian Giacomo Medici. During World War II it was an important centre of the partisan war against the German occupation. Complementary to the spirit of variety that characterizes the local landscape and history, the area’s museums are likewise highly varied in scope, including an archaeological museum testifying to the Etruscan and Roman settlements, and a well-furbished art gallery. Other testaments to the past document the silk trade, the hand-built lake man’s skiff, and an odd “sanctuary” of the bicycle, in loving memory of cycling heroes Girardengo, Coppi, and Bartali. Its economy used to be based on industry (iron manufacturers), but now it is mainly tertiary. In the Middle Ages Lecco produced weapons, needles, nails and chains. Its strategic position and good connection by road, railways and waterways have made it an important trade center. There are a number of other churches and religious structures from medieval times that grace Lecco:  the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Vittoria, the Sanctuary of Santa Maria Gloriosa, the Convent of San Cristofero, the Chiesa di Beato Serafino, and the Chiesa dei Santi Materno e Santa Lucia among them. Lecco offers opportunities for every kind of sport, particularly those practiced outdoors, given the natural presence of the lakes, such as windsurfing, canoeing, water-skiing; other sports include golfing, horse-back riding, hang-gliding, cycling, and skiing.

LODI - This town is situated on the right bank of the Adda in the fertile Po plain, and was founded by Frederick Barbarossa in 1158 after the destruction of Lodi Vecchio. Throughout the middle ages it was one of Milan’s bitterest opponents. In 1311 it came under the sway of the Visconti family. This is a charming medieval town of pastel-colored houses with wrought iron gateways, pretty courtyards and gardens.  In the arcaded square, where the 12th century duomo stands, is the fine renaissance Church of the Incoronata.  The magnificent octagonal interior is entirely decorated with wall paintings and gilding, and crowned with a dome.  One of the chapels has 15th century works by Bergognone. Starting from 1220, the Lodigiani (inhabitants of Lodi) spent some decades in realizing an important work of hydraulic engineering: a system of miles and miles of artificial rivers and channels (called Consorzio di Muzza) was created in order to give water to the countryside, turning some arid areas into one of the (still now) most important agricultural areas of the region. In 1945, the Italian petrol company Agip, directed by Enrico Mattei, started extracting methane from its fields, and Lodi was the first Italian town with a regular domestic gas service. The Lodi district is the chief area for the production of Grana cheese.

MANTOVA - One of the great Latin poets Virgil was born in Roman Mantua (to be exact in nearby Pietole) in 70 B.C. Of scarce importance up the Middle Ages, in the 12th-13th century it became a free commune and joined the Lombard League. Around the end of the 13th century it lost its autonomy, succumbing to the Bonacolsi family who were succeeded in 1328 by the mighty Gonzagas. Mantua blossomed under the rule of the Gonzaga dukes whose court was also a drawing card for great artists from all over Italy.

Palazzo del Te - This masterpiece of Renaissance architecture, was the Gonzaga’s country estate.  Designed by Giulio Romano, Palazzo del Te was completed in 1535. The sumptuous interior was entirely decorated by Giulio Romano.

Sant’Andrea - This church dated 1470, ranks as one of Alberti’s masterpieces. Juvara added the dome in the 18th century. Classical triumphal arches inspired the striking facade. The artists whose works adorn the vast interior include Correggio, Giulio Romano, and Lorenzo Costa.

Piazza Delle Erbe - On the square, the heart of old Mantua, are several important buildings: the 11th century Rotonda di San Lorenzo, a round building characterized by typical Romanesque simplicity and solidity, the Clock Tower (dated 1473), the Palazzo della Ragione, a 13th century building with a portico added in the 15th century, and the Broletto (or Palazzo del Podestà), Mantua’s 13th century city hall. A statue of Virgil (also 13th century) adorns the Broletto’s main facade facing out on Piazza Broletto.

Palazzo Ducale - The Gonzaga’s incredible palace is a complex of buildings, all built in different periods. The most important are: the Appartamento della Guastalla, the Appartamento degli Arazzi, (named after its tapestries, designed by Raphael), the Sala dello Zodiaco (with frescoes dated around 1580 attributed to Lorenzo Costa), the Sala del Labirinto in the Appartamento Ducale (with a ceiling painting of a maze) and the Appartamento dei Nani (an unusual suite of tiny rooms). In another building, the 14th century Castello di San Giorgio, is the celebrated Camera degli Sposi frescoed by Mantegna (1472-1474) Scenes pertaining to the life of Ludovico Gonzaga and his wife Barbara of Brandeburg are shown in a trompe l’oeil setting consisting of a pavilion where putti and ladies cavort with an incredible illusionistic effect.  

MILAN - This city is a commercial powerhouse and, partly because of its more than 400 banks and major industrial companies, Italy’s most influential city.  It is the centre of publishing, silk production, TV and advertising, and fashion design; it also lies close to Italy’s densest collection of automobile-assembly plants, rubber and textile factories, and chemical plants.  Milan also boasts La Scala, one of Europe’s most prestigious opera houses, a major university, and is the site of several world-renowned annual trade fairs.  It is a modern city of glass, metal, and poured concrete. The city is full of history and things to see, among them artistic treasures and historical monuments of great renown. The focal point of Milanese life is Piazza del Duomo, the square from which the complex web of streets making up the old historic center radiates star fashion.

Duomo - It took 500 years to complete the Duomo, Milan’s most celebrated monument, begun in 1387 by a crew of master stonecutters under the supervision of Simone da Orsenigo. Over the centuries, dozens of craftsmen shared in the building and decoration of the cathedral, whose stylistic features, however, never strayed from the original international Gothic style. The facade, completed in the 1800s, has five Baroque portals enclosing modern doors. The building is topped by the famous Madonnina, a 4-meter tall, gilded copper statue of the Virgin, cast in 1774. The impressive interior has double aisles set off from the nave by composite columns with capitals and niches adorned with statues. Light is filtered through stained glass windows, the oldest of which date from the 15th century. The artistic highlights include: the 11th century Tomb of Ariberto da Intimiano (right aisle), the Tomb of Gian Giacomo de’ Medici carved by Leone Leoni in 1563 (right transept), and the portal of the South Sacristy, whose fine Gothic sculpture was executed by Hans von Fernach in 1393. In the center of the choir is the Sanctuary with its 16th century altar. The wooden choir stalls were carved in the Baroque period. In the underlying Crypt are the mortal remains of St. Carlo Borromeo. In the left transept is a masterpiece of French Gothic art, the Trivulzio Candelabra, sculpted in the 13th century. Other noteworthy sights include the portal of the North Sacristy sculpted in the late 1200s and a well-stocked Treasury.

Quadrilateral - Many of the big names in fashion have their boutique “headquarters” in what is known as the Quadrilatero, defined by Via Monte Napoleone, Via della Spiga, Via S. Andrea and Via Borgospesso.  Nearly all the shops here have branches elsewhere in Milan and in other cities. You can find the latest designs on Monte Napoleone.  The jewellers were actually here first, in the 1930’s; since then, an address on Via Monte Napoleone has meant status and quality.  The windows at Buccellato are considered by many the best jewelry designers in Italy. The beautiful displays of clothing and accessories are a window-shopper’s paradise. Missioni’s ravishing knits for men and women at Monte Napoleone; Valentino and his classics are at Via Santo Spirito; Armani’s at Via Surini; Laura Biagotti at Via Borgospesso and Versace display their innovations at Monte Napoleone. Via della Spaga has top designers like Byblos, Krizia, Luricano Soprani and Dolce and Gabanna. Chanel, Prada, Fendi, Ferre, Gigli, Helmut Lang, Moschino etc. can be found in the same area.  Italian leather is best known in most parts of the world simply through the name Gucci.   

Regional Cuisine - A meal in Milan usually starts with a polenta or a risotto.  Creamy risottos are often embellished with fish or any other ingredients an innovative chef might find at hand; one of the simplest is risotto alla milanese, infused with saffron. Best known and most typical of the region are osso buco, slowly braised veal shank served with gremolada, a sauce of lemon and parsley, and cotoletta alla Milanese, a veal cutlet that is breaded, dipped in egg, and sautéed in butter. Panettone, a Milanese cake with fruit and raisins, is a Christmas treat now eaten all over the world.

Biblioteca Ambrosiana - This historical library in Milan, also houses the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana art gallery. Named after Ambrose, the patron saint of Milan, it was founded by Cardinal Federico Borromeo (1564-1631), whose agents scoured Western Europe and even Greece and Syria for books and manuscripts. Some major acquisitions of complete libraries were the manuscripts of the Benedictine monastery of Bobbio (1606) and the library of the Paduan Vincenzo Pinelli, whose more than 800 manuscripts filled 70 cases when they were sent to Milan and included the famous illuminated Iliad, the Ilia Picta.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele ll - Giuseppe Mengoni designed the remarkable Galleria, entered by way of the arcade on the north side of Piazza del Duomo in the late 1800s.  At the crossing of the cross-shaped mall is a glass and metal dome. The Galleria is a favorite meeting place for Milanese and out-of-towners alike. 

La Scala Theatre – This is one of the world’s most famous opera houses. The theatre was inaugurated on August 3, 1778, under the name Nuovo Regio Ducal Teatro alla Scala. La Scala hosted the prima (first production) of many famous operas by such greats as Verdi, Puccini, and Toscanini. Designed in the neo-Classical style it is noteworthy for its simplicity and elegance. The La Scala Museum (Museo Teatrale alla Scala), accessible from the theatre’s foyer and a part of the house, contains an extraordinary collection of paintings, drafts, statues, costumes, and other documents regarding opera and La Scala’s history. It also hosts the Accademia d’Arti e Mestieri dello Spettacolo (Academy for the Performing Arts). Its goal is to train a new generation of young musicians, technical staff, and dancers (at the Scuola di Ballo del Teatro alla Scala, one of the Academy’s divisions).
Piazza Mercanti - This peaceful memento of medieval Milan is only a few yards from bustling Piazza del Duomo. Around the piazzetta are several buildings: Palazzo della Ragione (or Palazzo Broletto Nuovo) built in 1233 for Mayor Oldrado of Tresseno, who is depicted on horseback in a relief on the exterior, the picturesque Loggia degli Osii commissioned in 1316 by Marco Visconti, the 17th Baroque palace century and the Gothic Panigarola House. In the center of the Piazza Mercanti is a 16th century well.

Poldi-Pezzoli Museum - The fine collection put together by Gian Giacomo Poldi-Pezzoli in the late 19th century was left to the City of Milan. Notably eclectic, it comprises paintings, clocks and watches, textiles, and arms and armor.

Sant’Ambrogio - Founded by St. Ambrose in 386, this celebrated church still has its transept less, single-aisle plan - despite extensive remodeling carried out between the 9th and 11th centuries - making it the foremost example of Lombard Romanesque extant. The narthex and left hand bell tower date from the 12th century. In the choir of the impressive interior is a superb medieval gold altar crafted by Master Vuolvinius, above which is a ciborium adorned with 12th century reliefs. 

Santa Maria Delle Grazie – This church begun by Solari in 1463, was remodeled in 1492 by Bramante, whose drum-topped tribune is considered one of the masterpieces of Renaissance architecture. The striking cloister was also designed by Bramante. In the refectory belonging to the monastery adjoining the church is Leonardo’s Last Supper painted by the master between 1495 and 1497.

Sforzesco Castle - Work on this impressive complex of buildings girthed by massive walls was begun in the late 1300s by the Viscontis, and proceeded well into the 1400s under Francesco Sforza, then Lord of Milan. Supervisors were Giovanni da Milano and Filarete who designed the entrance tower (restored in the 19th century). Over the centuries, the castle was embellished by a veritable army of craftsmen and artists. Today, Sforzesco Castle is a museum.

Pirelli Tower (also known as Pirelli Building, Grattacielo Pirelli or “Pirellone”) – This is a prominent building in Milan. In 1950 Alberto Pirelli, the president of the Pirelli Company, required that a skyscraper be built in the original area where the first factory was constructed in the 19th century. Architect Gio Ponti developed the project, with the assistance of Pier Luigi Nervi and Arturo Danusso. At 127.1 meters (417 feet), it is the tallest building in the city and was built of concrete (est. 60,000 tons). Construction of the tower began in 1956 in a time that Italy was experiencing an economic boom. The building, in the heart of Italy’s most important financial district is the headquarters of the Lombardy regional government.

Soccer - AC Milan and Inter Milan, two of the oldest teams in Europe vie for the heart of soccer-mad Lombardy. For residents, the city is called Milano, but the teams are Milan, a vestige of their common founding as the Milan Cricket and football Club in 1899.  When an Italian-led faction broke off in 1908, the new club was dubbed internazionale (or “inter”) to distinguish it from the bastion of English exclusivity that would become ACMilan (or simply “Milan”).

MONZA E BRIANZA - Since June 11, 2004 Monza has officially been designated the capital of the new province of Monza and Brianza. This new administrative arrangement will come fully into effect in 2009, and until then it will continue to be treated for many purposes as a comune within the province of Milan.  Monza is the third-largest city of Lombardy and the most important economic, industrial and administrative centre of the Brianza area, supporting a textile industry and a publishing trade. Monza also hosts a Department of the University of Milan Bicocca, a Court of Justice and several offices of regional administration.

Autodromo Nazionale Monza – This is one of the most historic motor racing circuits in the world. The circuit, better known for hosting the Formula One Italian Grand Prix, is notable for the fact that drivers are on full throttle for a higher-than-average percentage of the lap, due to its long straights, and is usually the scenario in which the open-wheeled F1 cars show the raw speed they are capable of (372 km/h during the V10 formula). It is mostly a flat circuit but has a notable, but gradual, gradient from the second Lesmos to the Variante Ascari. Since 1922 up until today, memorable pages of motor racing and motorcycling history have been written on the Monza Circuit. The best drivers, the most famous cars, the most important events have created a special legend which has existed for almost 100 years. The Park also includes an elegant rococo hunting lodge called the villa Reale, and a large golf course.  At one time Monza was one of the most important towns in Lombardy.  Theodolinda, the 16th century Lombard queen, built its first cathedral and bequeathed her treasure to the town.  At the heart of town centre is the present Duomo, with its notable green and white 14th century façade and beautiful 15th century frescoes portraying Theodolinda’s life. 

PAVIA - Pavia’s Roman name was Ticinum since it is located on the Ticino River not far from where it flows into the Po. An important Ostrogoth center, it became even more important under the Longobards when, renamed Pavia, it was made capital of the Longobard kingdom. Its present appearance dates from the period of the Communes, throughout which it was one of the most powerful. In the 14th century it lost its autonomy, becoming one of the Visconti domains. The seat of a major university, it never, however, lost its standing as a great cultural center. Pavia’s major thoroughfare, Strada Nuova, runs between the Covered Bridge and the Castle. Most of the sights of the city are to be found in this area, which still retains the grid plan of a Roman city. 

Duomo - Many prominent architects, among them Bramante, Leonardo, and Francesco di Giorgio Martini, worked on the cathedral, which was built between the 15th and 16th centuries. Rising on the site of two pre-existing buildings (whose remains are visible in the subterranean chamber), the Duomo features a complex Greek cross plan with a single aisle running all around. The hole is crowned by an octagonal dome designed by Bramante. The church is decorated mainly with 15th-16th century paintings and sculptures. In the Treasury are 14th-15th century manuscripts, vestments, reliquaries, and other finely crafted objects. 

Covered Bridge - The very symbol of Pavia, the Ponte Coperto is a reconstruction of the original medieval bridge bombed in 1944. 

Visconti Castle - This impressive square structure was commissioned by Galeazzo Visconti and his son Gian Galeazzo, and was erected in the late 14th century. Two of the towers and one side were destroyed in the 1500s. The castle is occupied by the Musei Civici. Of major interest are the Archeology Section (local Roman remains such as bronzes, inscriptions, glassware, ceramics, etc.) and the Sculpture Section (Pavian-Longobard inscriptions, reliefs, and architectural fragments, and Romanesque mosaics). Other exhibits include jewelry and engravings. 

San Pietro in Ciel D’Oro - Originally a Longobard basilica, San Pietro was rebuilt as a Romanesque church in the 12th century. Its facade, somewhat resembling San Michele’s, is adorned with colored ceramics. Its sole portal is sculpted with reliefs.

Charterhouse of Pavia - This masterpiece, of 15th century Lombard architecture, was started by Gian Galeazzo Visconti as a family tomb. The project was continued by Francesco Sforza, although it was not completed until the 16th century. A chronological list of the architects who had a hand in the great undertaking comprises: Bernardo da Venezia, Giacomo da Campione, Giovanni and Guiniforte Solari, Amadeo, and Lombardino. The superb facade of the church is adorned with colored marbles, sculpture, and reliefs. Inside are several works by Bergognone, an altarpiece by Pietro Perugino, tomb statues of Ludovico the Moor and Beatrice d’Este by Cristoforo Solari, and Gian Galeazzo Visconti’s tomb by Gian Cristoforo Romano. Outside are two charming cloisters, Chiostro Piccolo and Chiostro Grande. Formerly a Certosine monastery, the Charterhouse now belongs to the Cistercian order.

SONDRIO - The area of Sondrio was populated in ancient times by the Ligures and, from the 5th century BC, by the Celts. A former Roman military camp, today’s Sondrio was founded by the Lombard’s. In their language Sundrium meant “Exclusive property”, referring to the status of free men (arimanni) of the holders of the city and the surrounding land. The heart of Sondrio is its central Garibaldi Square. Not far from the Square is the Palazzo Sassi that is home of the Art and History Museum of Valtellina. In a dominant position, near the ancient road to the Valmalenco, there is the Masegra Castle. Above the town, to the north, rise the snow-clad peaks of the Bernina group. Sondrio also has silk-works.

Economy - The territory of Sondrio is famous for its vineyards, the most famous quality of wines being the Sassella and Grumello. Wine represents one of the main resources of this region, together with tourism, especially in winter.

VARESE - The province of Varese lies below the Alps, so mountains and hills constitute 32% and 46% of its territory respectively; other common features are rivers (including the Ticino and Olona) and glacial lakes (Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano, Lake of Varese and four other smaller ones Lake of Comabbio, Lake of Monate, Lake of Ghirla and Lake of Ganna. The southern part of the province is in the Pianura Padana (the flat bottomland of the River Po). It is most famous for the Sacro Monte di Varese (literally: Sacred mountain of Varese), a place of pilgrimage and worship. It is one of the Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy, included in UNESCO World Heritage list. The economy of Varese is mainly based on industry and, to a lesser extent, specialized agriculture; some famous Varese-based firms are: Alenia Aermacchi, which is a leading company in the design and production of trainers for military pilots. AgustaWestland is a helicopter design and manufacturing company based in Samarate (Varese) and the United Kingdom. It was formed in July 2000 when Finmeccanica S.p.A. and GKN agreed to merge their respective helicopter subsidiaries (Agusta and GKN-Westland Helicopters) to form AgustaWestland with Finmeccanica and GKN each holding a 50% share in AgustaWestland. Cagiva is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer. Founded in 1950 by Giovanni Castiglioni, in Varese, Cagiva originally produced small metal components. It went into the motorcycle industry in 1978. MV Agusta is a motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1945 in Cascina Costa. Vibram S.p.A. is a company based in Albizzate that produces rubber outsoles for footwear. The company is named after its founder, Vitale Bramani. Bramani is credited with inventing the first rubber soles for shoes. These soles were first used on mountaineering boots. Varese is known for the European famous basketball giants, Pallacanestro Varese, that played, 10 European Champions Cup finals in a row and won 5 of them in the 70’s decade (a great achievement that has never been repeated). Varese is the seat of active silk spinning, tanning, papermaking and the manufacturer of organs.  

Saronno – This city is synonymous with amaretto and for its Santuario della Madonna dei Miracoli, built by Giovanni Antonio Amadeo in 1498. The façade, with its trumpeting angels, was added in the next century by Pellegrini. Highlights in the rich interior include the dome’s startling, innovative fresco, the Concert of Angels by Gaudenzio Ferrari (1534) and Bernardino Luini’s beautiful frescoes in the chapel of the Madonna (1531). The church of Saint Francis of Assisi is the oldest church in Saronno with medieval origins. Amaretto di Saronno is a sweet almond-flavored liqueur. It is made from a base of apricot or almond pits, or sometimes both, with added spices and flavor.

THE LAKES - Poets, composers and writers have been rhapsodizing about the Italian lakes for centuries.  Everyone from Catullus to Ernest Hemingway has sung his praises.  The lakes are among northern Italy’s greatest treasures. Here one will find flowery promenades, lemon trees, villas, parks and crystal-blue waters. On their chiseled shores, lemons, figs, roses, pomegranates and palms grew in luxuriant abundance.   They’ve attracted poets and writers from Goethe to D’Annunzio. 

Lake Garda - Italy’s biggest lake, Lake Garda (370 km), is shared by three regions, i.e., Lombardy on the west, Veneto on the east, and Trentino on the northern tip. It is fed from the north by the Sarca River, which exits in the south as the Mincio. Its scenery varies from mountainous and jagged in the north to gentle hills in the south. Throughout the lake region the climate is pleasant and mild. Farming is a major economic activity. Important crops comprise citrus fruit, olives, and grapes, while several of the local wines are highly prized. The region was settled in the prehistoric era, succumbing to the Romans in the 1st century B.C. Thereafter in the Middle Ages, it was split up among Brescia, Trento, and Verona. The resort towns dotting its shores may be reached by way of a 144-km- long scenic road, the Strada Gardesana.

Lake Maggiore (or Verbano) - The most westerly of the three large pre-alpine lakes of Italy and the second largest after Lake Garda, Lago Maggiore covers some 121 sq. km and is the second largest lake in Italy.  Its west bank has belonged to Piedmont since 1743, but its east bank lies in Lombardy.  The north end (about 1/5 of its area), including Locarno, is in Swiss territory.  Lago Maggiore became well known at the beginning of the 19th century as a European resort.  Since the 15th century the Italian family of Borromeo have held important possessions on the lake, notably the Borromean Islands and the castle of Angera. 

Salò – Charmingly situated in a long narrow bay under Monte San Bartolomeo, Salò was the birthplace of Gasparo da Salò (1542 – 1609), inventor of the violin. Salò holds a sad place in modern Italian history, as it was headquarters of the Fascist government in 1943. It was known as the “Republic of Salò.

Desenzano Del Garda - Settled by the Romans, it became a Venetian possession in the 15th century, and now ranks as one of the most important of the lake-fishing ports. The sights include the 17th century church of Santa Maria Maddalena and the ruins of a sizable Roman villa.

Gardone Riviera - This elegant resort vaunts fine hotels and facilities. Nearby is the Vittoriale, Gabriele D’Annunzio’s extravagant villa, with its original furnishings and mementoes of the adventurous life of the writer (who died here in 1938).

Riva Del Garda - This elegant town, under Austrian rule until World War II, has long been a famous resort. Major sights include the Rocca, a castle built in the Middle Ages and remodeled several times over the centuries, inside of which is a museum. In addition to exhibits pertaining to local costumes and customs, there are collections of prehistoric and Roman pieces, arms and armor, and medieval sculpture. The 17th century church of the Immacolata contains works by Palma the Younger. Not far from the town is a scenic waterfall, the Cascata Dei Varone, with an 80-meter drop.

Malcesine - The sights in this resort set at the foot of Mt. Baldo, include a charming port and the Scaligero Castle, a 14th century building (remodeled in the 1600s) where Goethe was erroneously imprisoned in 1786.

Bardolino - Home of renowned wine vineyards, Bardolino also vaunts interesting sights, in eluding two fine churches, San Zeno built in the 9th century and San Severeo which, despite its typically 12th century Romanesque appearance, actually dates back much earlier. San Severo is adorned with 13th century frescoes.

Peschiera Del Garda - This modern resort and industrial town is situated on the Mincio River. It’s celebrated 16th century Fort was an Austrian stronghold as late as the Risorgimento period.

• Formai de Mut dell’alta Valle Brembana DOP
• Gorgonzola DOP
• Grana Padano DOP
• Parmigiano Reggiano DOP
• Quartirolo Lombardo DOP
• Taleggio DOP
• Provolone Valpadana DOP
• Valtellina Casera DOP

DOP Salami:

• Salame Brianza DOP
• Salame di Varzi DOP
• Bresaola della Valtellina IGP

DOP Olive Oil:

• Olio extravergine di olive “Garda” DOP
• Olio extravergine di olive “Laghi Lombardi” DOP

Regional Fruits:

• Pera tipica mantovana IGP

DOC wines of the Lombardy region:

• Valtellina (Sondrio)
• Valtellina
• Valtellina Sforzato
• Valtellina Superiore Grumello
• Valtellina Superiore Sassella
• Valtellina Superiore Inferno
• Valtellina Superiore Valgella
• Valcalepio (Bergamo)
• Valcalepio Rosso e Rosso Riserva
• Valcalepio Bianco
• Valcalepio Moscato Passito
• Provincia di Brescia
• Terre di Franciacorta
• VSQPRD Franciacorta DOCG
• Spurn
• Botticino
• Gellatica e Cellatica Superiore
• Gapriano dei Colle
• Capriano del Colle Trebbiano
• Lugana e Lugana Spumante
• S. Martino della Battaglia e
• S. Martino della Battaglia Liquoroso
• Garda Bresciano
• San Colombano (Lodi)
• San Colombano
• Oltrepo’ Pavese (Pavia)
• Oltrepò Pavese Riesling Italico
• e Riesling Italico Spumante
• Oltrepò Pavese Riesling Renano
• e Riesling Renano Spumante
• Oltrepò Pavese Cortese
• e Cortese Spurn.
• Oltrepò Pavese Sauvignon
• Oltrepò Pavese Chardonnay
• Oltrepò Pavese Malvasia
• Oltrepò Pavese Pinot Grigio
• Oltrepò Pavese Pinot Nero
• Oltrepò Pavese Rosato
• Oltrepò Pavese Barbera
• Oltrepò Pavese Rosso Riserva
• Oltrepò Pavese Bonarda
• Oltrepò Pavese Cabernet Sauvignon
• Oltrepò Pavese Buttafudco
• Oltrepò Pavese Sangue di Giuda
• Oltrepò Pavese Moscato
• e Moscato Spumante
• Oltrepò Pavese Moscato Passito
• Oltrepò Pavese Rosso
• Provincia di Mantova
• Colli Morenici Mantovani
• del Garda Rosso
• Colli Morenici Mantovani
• del Garda Rosato
• Colli Morenici Mantovani
• del Garda Bianco
• Lambrusco mantovano
• Rossano Nistri
• Monica Paolazzi
• Marco Riva