Cadrezzate
Located approximately 20 km from Varese, Cadrezzate is a charming small town nestled on the lakeshore of Lake Monate, which is famous for its crystal-clear waters making it the cleanest fresh-water lake in all of Italy.
Tourism in Cadrezzate
These characteristics make Cadrezzate one of the most popular summer destinations. Thousands of bathers take advantage of the clear lake where they spend cool days on the various city beaches, while the ancient tradition of making hay takes place in the green countryside close to town.
This is a side of Cadrezzate not everyone knows about: "la torbiera", "la garbina" wildlife parks. In fact, the town has the good fortune of having one of the greenest and uncontaminated areas in the Ticino Park. And there are lots of opportunities for peaceful walks on marked paths, suitable for the entire family. Those in search of more demanding sports can participate in rowing, fishing, tennis, running, football and motocross.
History of Cadrezzate
Finds discovered in the 19th century confirm the area was already inhabited as early as the Bronze Age (16th-century BC): ruins of pile-dwellings were discovered in two different towns on the lake. The Celts and Romans followed. The first written document in hand dates back to 999. It's the parchment of a legal document transferring goods between Archbishop of Milan Arnolfo II and Lanfredo, the abbot of the Monastery of S. Salvatore in Arona. There are no other documents until 1276, when the well-known clash between the two Milanese factions of the Torriani and the Visconti took place, which concluded a year later with the final defeat of the Torriani in Desio.
Santa Margherita: Cadrezzate's church
The actual 13th-century (perhaps earlier) parish church is dedicated to Santa Margherita, a widely worshiped figure in medieval times. There were many legends about her, but historic truth is quite different. Her true name was Marina di Antiochia. She lived in Syria in the 4th century and died a martyr. The church, which was renovated in 2002, is home to a valuable polychrome marble altar and an 18th-century statue of the Saint.
