Things to see in Lombardy
By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 1 December 2023
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The northern Italian region of Lombardy (Lombardia in Italian), 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, Mantua, Brescia and Monza among its ranks; some of the most beautiful and historic cities in Italy. |
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Lombardy highlights
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. 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/South Tyrol. 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.
Continuing in a northerly direction, Lombardy shares the Stelvio National Park with the neighbouring region of Trentino Alto-Adige/South Tyrol. 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.