- VILLE E PALAZZI
Laveno Mombello
Laveno is the tourism capital of the eastern shore of Lake Maggiore and the municipal seat of the Municipality of Laveno Mombello. Its marina is quite important and has a ferry service connecting this little town with Intra on the Piedmont shore. Mount Sasso del Ferro rises above the town. It can be reached by cable car and is one of the most popular scenic viewpoints on Lake Maggiore, not only for tourists but also for hang-gliding and paragliding enthusiasts.
Its unique position made it a strategic point for all armies who came through the region: from the Romans to the House of Visconti, Sforza, Borromeo and Garibaldi to the Austrians.
Tourism in Laveno Mombello
In terms of tourism, Laveno Mombello is one of the easiest destinations to reach on the lake and is well-connected with the smaller Lombard towns. The Ferrovie Nord railway - which arrives just a few metres from the lake and very close to the town centre - connects it with Varese and then Milan. The Ferrovie dello Stato national railway connects it with Switzerland. A ferry crosses the lake and reaches the Piedmont tourist destinations in a short time and the Autostrada dei Laghi (motorway) is easy to reach both from the Besozzo-Vergiate motorway at Sesto Calende and past the lake towards Gravellona Toce.
Today, this town offers tourists a remarkable lakeside promenade with porticoed buildings and pedestrian precincts. The little town’s vitality also includes shopping.
Laveno was also one of the most important towns in Italy and Europe for the production of pottery and china. The factories – which are closed today – gave life to the Civica Raccolta di Terraglie, a museum containing the most important pottery produced here from the 19th century onwards. The museum can be visited at Palazzo Perabò in Cerro, a hamlet of Laveno Mombello.
The old town centre is home to beautiful Villa De Angeli Frua, whose renowned botanical garden is also worth visiting. Not very far in Valcuvia is another charming dwelling: Villa Della Porta Bozzolo in Casalzuigno.
Events and entertainment in Laveno Mombello
Recurring events include the Fiera Labiena, a street market offering crafts and gastronomic and artistic products, held every second Sunday of the month (with the exception of January and February).
The illuminated presepe sommerso (underwater crèche) is also very charming; it can be admired from early December until the end of the Christmas season and is positioned in the lake in front of the heart of Laveno.
Accommodations in Laveno Mombello
If you would like to take advantage of the many entertaining opportunities in Laveno, take a look at the local hotels!
