Lombardy Review
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Lombardy Review is a visual guide to the Northern Italian region of Lombardy (Lombardia in Italian). Its name derives from the Longobards who established a kingdom in northern Italy from the 6th to 8th centuries AD.
This is one of the largest regions of Italy and the first evidence of this is the number of Provinces within its confines; 12 in total which is more than any other region in Italy. The Italian provinces generally take the name of the provincial capitals and Lombardy can boast the likes of Milan, Bergamo, Cremona, Pavia, Mantova, Brescia and Monza among its ranks; some of the most beautiful and historic cities in Italy. Away from the cities mentioned above, Lombardy has the three most important Italian lakes to discover: Lake Como, Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. The countless Lakeside Towns are some of the most elegant and evocative in the world including Bellagio, Varenna and Como to name just a few. You'll also find some of Italy's most beautiful gardens around these lake areas such as the Giardini di Villa Melzi, Villa Carlotta and Villa del Balbianello. |
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There are still further lakes in Lombardy that in any other region would grab the touristic headlines such as Lake Iseo, Lake Idro and Lake Lugano whose territory is shared with Switzerland.
Continuing in a northerly direction, Lombardy shares the Stelvio National Park with the neighbouring region of Trentino Alto-Adige. The Passo dello Stelvio is one of the most dramatic roads in the world with its endless white-knuckle curves that wind up and down the park's mountain slopes.
It is around Lombardy's northern climes that you'll also find some of Italy's best Ski Resorts including Livigno, Bormio and Ponte di Legno while other mountain towns such as Chiavenna, San Pellegrino Terme and San Giovanni Bianco offer their own unique charms.
There is so much more to Lombardy than I've been able to capture in these few lines and as you browse through the pages of this website I hope you'll draw inspiration and find some places you'd like to visit. Knowing Lombardy as I do, I'm sure that will be the case and I'm constantly working on Lombardy Review to make it the most valuable travel companion as possible.
Dion Protani: founder of Lombardy Review.
Continuing in a northerly direction, Lombardy shares the Stelvio National Park with the neighbouring region of Trentino Alto-Adige. The Passo dello Stelvio is one of the most dramatic roads in the world with its endless white-knuckle curves that wind up and down the park's mountain slopes.
It is around Lombardy's northern climes that you'll also find some of Italy's best Ski Resorts including Livigno, Bormio and Ponte di Legno while other mountain towns such as Chiavenna, San Pellegrino Terme and San Giovanni Bianco offer their own unique charms.
There is so much more to Lombardy than I've been able to capture in these few lines and as you browse through the pages of this website I hope you'll draw inspiration and find some places you'd like to visit. Knowing Lombardy as I do, I'm sure that will be the case and I'm constantly working on Lombardy Review to make it the most valuable travel companion as possible.
Dion Protani: founder of Lombardy Review.
Lombardy Highlights
Lombardy In - FocusWith a population approaching 200,000, the city of Brescia is the second largest in Lombardy and the capital of its own province. One of Italy's most important industrial centres it also sits in an advantageous area for visitors to the Italian Lakes, nestled as it is between Lake Garda and Lake Iseo. Tourists are also drawn by the annual "Mille Miglia" (Thousand Miles) which was originally an endurance race from Brescia to Rome and back, now evolved into a procession of vintage cars. The European Centre of Gastronomy in 2017, Brescia brings to the table Italy's most famous caviar as well as the Franciacorta sparkling wine.
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Pallata Tower, Brescia
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Dating back to 1,200 BC, Brescia can boast more than 3,000 years of history, much of it glorious including its period under Roman rule when it was known as "Brixia"; its position at the foot of the Alps making it strategically important both for trade and military purposes. During medieval times Brescia was a capital of the Longobard Kingdom (also known as the "Lombard Kingdom") from where the modern region of Lombardy takes its name), before its capture by Charlemagne in 774 AD. The Longobard heritage is a fundamental part of modern-day Brescia; since 2011 it has been inscribed into the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites with the monastic complex of San Salvatore and Santa Giulia forming part of the wider "Longobards in Italy: Places of Power (568–774 A.D.)" inscription.
The Santa Giulia complex and museum is around a 10 minute walk from Brescia's pretty medieval centre. One of the main sights here is the Piazza della Loggia with its beautiful clock tower (Torre dell'Orologio) at one end and the town hall, simply known as "La Loggia" at the other. The Piazza Paolo VI is home to Brescia's two cathedrals: Duomo Nuovo (New Cathedral) and Duomo Vecchio (Old Cathedral), while a short walk from there will take you to the Piazza della Vittoria, notable for its completely different architectural style, belonging to the Italian Fascist period of the 20th century and built in 1932. Slightly further away from the centre you'll find the looming presence of the Castello di Brescia, which has been standing guard to the city since the 15th century.
Brescia is one of the major cities connected by the A4 motorway which stretches west to east from Turin towards Venice. An hour and a half to the west there's Milan while in the other direction the cities of Verona (1 hour) and Padua (around 2 hours) are also within range of a day-trip. Although Brescia has its own airport just outside the city, it's mainly for domestic flights and there are more international options available in Verona. By train, Brescia is within easy reach of locations around Lake Garda such as Desenzano del Garda or Sirmione, as well as Milan and Italy's other major cities.
Getting around the city centre is easiest on foot as the most attractive areas such as Piazza della Loggia are pedestrianised but there's also a Metro system in operation. This particularly works well for the train station which would otherwise be a 15 minute walk.
The Santa Giulia complex and museum is around a 10 minute walk from Brescia's pretty medieval centre. One of the main sights here is the Piazza della Loggia with its beautiful clock tower (Torre dell'Orologio) at one end and the town hall, simply known as "La Loggia" at the other. The Piazza Paolo VI is home to Brescia's two cathedrals: Duomo Nuovo (New Cathedral) and Duomo Vecchio (Old Cathedral), while a short walk from there will take you to the Piazza della Vittoria, notable for its completely different architectural style, belonging to the Italian Fascist period of the 20th century and built in 1932. Slightly further away from the centre you'll find the looming presence of the Castello di Brescia, which has been standing guard to the city since the 15th century.
Brescia is one of the major cities connected by the A4 motorway which stretches west to east from Turin towards Venice. An hour and a half to the west there's Milan while in the other direction the cities of Verona (1 hour) and Padua (around 2 hours) are also within range of a day-trip. Although Brescia has its own airport just outside the city, it's mainly for domestic flights and there are more international options available in Verona. By train, Brescia is within easy reach of locations around Lake Garda such as Desenzano del Garda or Sirmione, as well as Milan and Italy's other major cities.
Getting around the city centre is easiest on foot as the most attractive areas such as Piazza della Loggia are pedestrianised but there's also a Metro system in operation. This particularly works well for the train station which would otherwise be a 15 minute walk.
THINGS TO SEE IN LOMBARDYI've categorized the most interesting sights of Lombardy under different headers so for example under the Major Cities section you'll find the likes of Bergamo & Pavia while Milan has its own site.
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LOMBARDY ACCOMMODATIONIn the accommodation section the first feature you'll be able to use is the Booking.com search engine where you can find the widest variety and availability of Lombardy Hotels. with real user reviews.
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