- GOLF
Travedona Monate
The Municipality of Travedona Monate, which unites two picturesque residential villages that were once independent from each other, is located in the central region of the province of Varese, in the hilly area of western Verbano. The area’s natural borders include Mount Campo dei Fiori to the north east, Mount Sasso del Ferro to north west, Lake Maggiore and the Ticino River to the west, and the Varese hill to the east. Water is the natural element most characterising the area. The wonderful basin of water constituting Lake Monate also touches the municipalities of Comabbio, Osmate and Cadrezzate.
History in Travedona Monate
Excavations performed in the area have uncovered tools dating back to the Neolithic period, while the lake has revealed the ruins of pile-dwelling settlements and a dugout canoe hollowed out in the trunk of a tree and now at the Museum of Archaeology of Como. Some tombstones from the Roman period and a lime kiln perhaps belonging to the same period, were also discovered in town.
A new church dedicated to Santa Maria della Neve was built in Monate in the 13th century next to the Parish Church of San Martino. San Carlo Borromeo decreed the merger of the two parishes at the end of the 16th century, which was a prelude to the union of the two towns.
Things to see in Travedona Monate
Both Travedona and Monate are characterised by ancient washhouses and rural homes built with stones and lime. Monate’s Church of Santa Maria della Neve in late Romanesque style has a solemn gabled façade on which a precious rounded portal opens with finely decorated capitals. The single nave inside still has traces of the original frescoes.
Beaches in Monate provide a marvellous view of the homonymous lake and always attract many tourists; they are the favoured summer destination of bathers. After all, Lake Monate is the cleanest lake in all of Italy.
Curiosities: peaches from Monate
The town of Monate is also known for its peaches (Perzic de Munà), which are sold (fresh and in syrup) along the roadside in July/August. The Festa di Monate (Festival of Monate) takes place the first week in August along with the festivities for Patron Saint Madonna della Neve. The characteristic cuccagna sul lago (cockaigne pole over the lake) is held Sunday afternoon while fireworks are displayed Monday evening.
Sports in Travedona Monate
Monate is home to the renowned, multiple-prizewinning sports association Canottieri Monate. For golf players, Travedona has the Golf Club dei Laghi, which is a leading 18-hole facility.
