Lombardy
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 1 December 2023
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The northern Italian region of Lombardy is the most populous in the country, its 10 million or so residents roughly double that of the second most populous region, Lazio.
With its capital Milan the financial centre of Italy, Lombardy is also the most successful economically and can boast a number of high profile cities, lakes and tourist attractions. Lombardy occupies an area of plains to the south and Alps to the north where its ski resorts count among the best in the country. |
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The region of Lombardy and its twelve provinces
Each of the twenty Italian regions is split into a series of provinces, of which Lombardy has twelve, again the highest number of all. The 12 provinces are geographical areas based around a central city, with for example, the newly-named Metropolitan City of Milan recently replacing the now defunct Milan Province.
The name Lombardy is a derivation of the Longobards who are often referred to as the Lombards. They ruled this and other regions on the Italian Peninsula in the early medieval period, a reign that is recognised by UNESCO with World Heritage Sites across the country.
The name Lombardy is a derivation of the Longobards who are often referred to as the Lombards. They ruled this and other regions on the Italian Peninsula in the early medieval period, a reign that is recognised by UNESCO with World Heritage Sites across the country.
Milan: the capital of Lombardy
Lombardy's capital Milan is the most prosperous city in Italy and a treasure trove for tourists. Milan Cathedral is one of the most beautiful buildings in Italy, and flanked by the remarkable Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a glorious pre-cursor to modern shopping arcades. Also within the city are the famous Teatro alla Scala and the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie; home to Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper.
Bergamo and Brescia
Away from the capital there are a series of historic cities within the region. The city of Bergamo is quite unique with its medieval upper town called Città Alta and its ground-level equivalent, Bergamo Bassa showing a much later, modern architectural style.
A slightly different effect occurs in the city of Brescia, whose buildings encompass a number of diverse eras from the ancient to the modern. Brescia can also boast the Museo di Santa Giulia, another site recognised by UNESCO.
A slightly different effect occurs in the city of Brescia, whose buildings encompass a number of diverse eras from the ancient to the modern. Brescia can also boast the Museo di Santa Giulia, another site recognised by UNESCO.
Mantova, Pavia and Cremona
Sitting at the south-eastern fringes of Lombardy, the city of Mantova is one of the most beautiful with its expansive piazzas and fascinating Palazzo Ducale.
Further to the west of the region, the city of Pavia is home to the iconic "Ponte Coperto" bridge as well as the beautiful Certosa di Pavia just outside the city.
Another city that comes from the medieval age is Cremona with its imposing cathedral among the sights but it's best known as the home of the violin and one Stradivarius.
Further to the west of the region, the city of Pavia is home to the iconic "Ponte Coperto" bridge as well as the beautiful Certosa di Pavia just outside the city.
Another city that comes from the medieval age is Cremona with its imposing cathedral among the sights but it's best known as the home of the violin and one Stradivarius.
Further provincial capitals of Lombardy
The cities of Monza, Lodi, Sondrio and Varese are all full of history and the central towns of eponymous provinces while the remaining provincial cities are around the region's most glorious lake.
At the south-western end of Lake Como, the city of Como is hugely popular for its wide boulevards, historic centre and lakeside promenades while marking the south-eastern spur, Lecco offers the possibility to explore some of the glorious, smaller lakeside towns to its north such as Varenna and Bellagio.
There are dozens of beautiful towns around Lake Como, of various sizes, along with some of Italy's most beautiful gardens such as Villa Monastero, Giardini di Villa Melzi, Villa del Balbianello and Villa Carlotta.
At the south-western end of Lake Como, the city of Como is hugely popular for its wide boulevards, historic centre and lakeside promenades while marking the south-eastern spur, Lecco offers the possibility to explore some of the glorious, smaller lakeside towns to its north such as Varenna and Bellagio.
There are dozens of beautiful towns around Lake Como, of various sizes, along with some of Italy's most beautiful gardens such as Villa Monastero, Giardini di Villa Melzi, Villa del Balbianello and Villa Carlotta.
Italy's three greatest lakes: Garda, Como and Maggiore
Italy's three great lakes lie in a row across the region with Lake Como in the centre flanked to the west by Lake Maggiore and to the east by Lake Garda. Lake Maggiore is split between the neighbouring region of Piedmont on its western shore and Lombardy on the opposing bank with highlights on the Lombardy side including the hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso.
Lake Garda is divided between Trentino Alto-Adige/South Tyrol to the north and Veneto to the east while the majority of the western shore belongs to Lombardy. The most popular lakeside town on the Lombardy section of the southern shore is Sirmione with its castle forming a dramatic backdrop to the crystalline water of the lake, while further to the north, the pretty town of Limone sul Garda is not to be missed.
Lake Garda is divided between Trentino Alto-Adige/South Tyrol to the north and Veneto to the east while the majority of the western shore belongs to Lombardy. The most popular lakeside town on the Lombardy section of the southern shore is Sirmione with its castle forming a dramatic backdrop to the crystalline water of the lake, while further to the north, the pretty town of Limone sul Garda is not to be missed.
Smaller lakes
The three great lakes listed above represent just a portion of the overall number of lakes in Lombardy. There are dozens more and in any other region, the likes of Lake Lugano, Lake Idro and Lake Iseo would be listed at the very top of the list of attractions.
At the centre of Lake Iseo, the island of Monte Isola is a great day out while to the north-west of the region, Lake Mezzola offers some delightful scenery.
At the centre of Lake Iseo, the island of Monte Isola is a great day out while to the north-west of the region, Lake Mezzola offers some delightful scenery.
Into the Alps
Northern Lombardy is dominated by the Alps and it's here that you'll find a clutch of ski resorts including Ponte di Legno, Livigno and Bormio to name just a few.
Just north of Bormio is the famous Passo dello Stelvio, a mountain pass that traverses the Stelvio National Park which is shared between Lombardy and the autonomous South Tyrol Province. In what represents some of the most dramatic scenery in Europe, the mountain pass with its never-ending twists and turns is seen as something of a challenge for motorists and cyclists alike.
Just north of Bormio is the famous Passo dello Stelvio, a mountain pass that traverses the Stelvio National Park which is shared between Lombardy and the autonomous South Tyrol Province. In what represents some of the most dramatic scenery in Europe, the mountain pass with its never-ending twists and turns is seen as something of a challenge for motorists and cyclists alike.
Around Bergamo
A smaller, but no less beautiful park within Lombardy is the Parco delle Orobie Bergamasche, just north of Bergamo. In an area of exceptional beauty, you'll also find the riverside town of San Giovanni Bianco and its more illustrious neighbour, San Pellegrino Terme whose water bottles can be found on dinner tables across the world.
Getting to Lombardy
In terms of travel, Lombardy is well-served by three airports close to Milan. Around the capital itself are Milan Linate and Milan Malpensa while "Milan Bergamo Airport" is something of a misnomer as its most certainly in Bergamo rather than Milan. The region's trains and buses work well while each of the larger lakes has its own system of ferries that will take you to the most popular lakeside resorts.
Regione Lombardia
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Regional capital: Milan
Population: 9,981,554 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2022) Size: 23,844 km² Provinces: 12 Highlights: Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, Lake Garda, Milan, Pavia |
Metropolitan City of Milan
Naviglio Pavese, Milan
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Bergamo Province
Clusone, Bergamo Province
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Brescia Province
Salò on Lake Garda, Brescia Province
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Como Province
Bellagio on Lake Como, Como Province
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Cremona Province
Pizzighettone, Cremona Province
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Lecco Province
Onno, Lake Como, Lecco Province
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Lodi Province
Piazza della Vittoria, Lodi
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Mantua Province
San Benedetto Po, Mantua Province
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Monza and Brianza
Villa Reale di Monza
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Pavia Province
Vigevano, Pavia Province
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Sondrio Province
Lake Mezzola, Sondrio Province
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Varese Province
Sesto Calende, Varese Province
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