1 | Starting point, Tradate Station Visitors can rent bicycles at the FAI stand just outside the station (10 euros contribution – limited bicycles available). 2 | Frera Motorcycle Museum
It is a farm with a longstanding tradition of cattle breeding and sheep and poultry farming. The prime quality local ingredients are key to a healthy and traditional cuisine: pasta, bread and sweets are all homemade in order to maintain the original seasonal flavours. Also available for children a short pony tour (3 euros) and local cheese tastings. Refreshments at 8/10 euros. 4 | Torba Monastery
Via Lattea
un mondo da esplorare
The Thousand Souls of a Monastery Discover the Torba Monastery and its surroundings Sunday, 28th of June 2015 From 9.30 to 18.30
A real forerunner of Italian industrial innovation, Frera was a motorcycle manufacturer active between 1905 and 1936. It was founded by Corrado Frera and became synonymous with quality and prestige throughout the years – a side from being one of Italy’s most productive factories. The Tradate factory opened in 1903. At the time the city was not under the municipality of Como yet and thus not so well connected with the Milanese railways. Its commercial success was a result of the produces’ high quality and innovation but also of the high demand for military equipment. Frera was in fact the main motorcycles’ supplier for the Italian army during the First World War. Due to the 1929 economic depression and the loss of government financing, the factory went bankrupt in 1933 and successively shut down in 1936. 3 | Agriturismo Bel Sit
The Torba Monastery – now property of FAI since 1977 retains all the charm of its ancient and suggestive millenary history. It is immersed in the Castelseprio Archaeological Park’s woodland, now a UNESCO heritage site. It is characterised by a magnificent defensive tower built in the fifth century AD, which was converted into a monastery during Lombard times. Precious frescos and traces of ancient graveyards are hidden within its walls. In the same monastic complex is also a church, plain yet beautiful, dating back to the seventh/eight century. In the courtyard visitors can find a small market of local produces and refreshments. 3 euros - special Via Lattea’s concession -, free for FAI members and new subscribers on the day. 5 | Castelseprio and Santa Maria foris porta
The Agriturismo Bel Sit in Tradate is active since more than 50 years.
Con il Patrocinio di
Comune di Cairate
Comune di Castelseprio
Con il sostegno di
Comune di Gornate Olona
Comune di Lonate Ceppino
Comune di Tradate
Main sponsor
Sponsor
Both the Castelseprio Archaeological Park and the church of Santa Maria foris portas, immersed in the greenery of centuries-old woodlands, reflect the splendour and power of ancient civilizations. Castelseprio’s golden age was under Lombard times. A UNESCO site in 2011, it features many archaeological remains such as: castles’ towers, impressive defensive walls, ancient churches and military and civil buildings ruins. The church (oratorio) of Santa Maria “foris portas” is nearby the fortifications where the village used to stand. Founded between the seventh and ninth century, this small yet precious church preserves an extraordinary fresco representing the life of Mary and the childhood of Christ according to the apocryphal gospels. 6 | Monastery of Santa Maria Assunta in Cairate
The monastery is a beautiful Benedictine complex built – according to tradition – in Lombard times over an earlier Roman settlement. A fascinating legend tells of the founder of this female monastic community: a noble Lombard woman called Manigunda. Her name is still legible in a cartouche on the 18th Century arch where the ancient entrance of the monastery used to be. The monastic complex flourished throughout the centuries to become, in medieval times, an important commercial and political centre. It seems that in 1176 Frederick I’s imperial army camped in the proximities of the village of Cairate and it is thus possible Sponsor tecnici
Con la collaborazione di
that the emperor himself might have spent the night at the monastery’s guesthouse before the Legnano’s battle. The monastic complex consists of an ancient church and a beautiful sixteenth century’s cloister. Here are preserved incredible artistic treasures, such a fresco by Aurelio Luini (sun of the renowned painter Bernardino Luini) representing the life of the Virgin Mary. 7 | Agriturismo la Rondine
A relaxing and comfortable retreat in the greenery of the countryside of Varese where to experience typical rustic cuisine. The charming location and pleasant surroundings make it the best place to enjoy workshops and fun activities to learn about nature and the rural farming tradition. Leisure activities. Sweet or savoury snack at 5/10 euros. Visits to the church of San Bernardo, a small building dating back to 1699 featuring frescos and stucco decorations, only 100mt from the farm.
With thanks to: Museo della motocicletta Frera Parco archeologico di Castelseprio Pro Loco of Cairate Maps, times and detailed programs for all 2015 events are available and downloadable from www.faivialattea.it
Partner di Monastero di Torba
Coordinamento Lombardia
Un Evento
The Thousand Souls of a Monastery Discover the Torba Monastery and its surroundings >>21 km
Torba Monastery
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SP
Ceppine
SP2
The trail starts from Tradate train station and the first stopover is the Frera Motorcycle Museum. Frera was a motorcycle company active from 1905 to 1936, an excellent example of Italian industrial innovation. The trail continues to the Torba Monastery, a FAI property retaining all the charm of its ancient and suggestive millenary history. It is immersed in the Castelseprio Archaeological Park’s woodland, now a UNESCO heritage site. After the Castelseprio Archaeological Park and the church of Santa Maria Foris Portas, along the Olona River, the trail reaches the Monastery of Santa Maria Assunta in Cairate; a beautiful Benedictine complex built – according to tradition – in Lombard times over an earlier Roman settlement. The circuit includes visits to two local farms immersed in the greenery of the Olona Valley. The farms are important examples of the rural culture of these beautiful lands.
Castelseprio Santa Maria foris portas
Castelseprio
Tradate
towards Milan, exit Gallarate (turn right at the stop and follow indications towards Tradate). Starting point: Tradate (VA) railway station. Limited number of bicycles for hire. 10 euros minimum contribution.
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Lonate Ceppino
San Bernardo
7 How to get there: By train: Saronno-Laveno line, get off at Tradate. By car: From Milan: A9 “Autostrada Milano-Laghi” towards Como-Chiasso, exit Saronno (proceed onto SP233 towards Varese). From Varese: SS233 “Varesina” towards Milan. A8 “Autostrada Milano-Varese”
Motorbike museum Frera
Tradate Station
Agriturismo La Rondine
3
Agriturismo Bel Sit
Santa Maria Assunta Monastery Cairate
6 Cairate Barlam
FAI Point
Refreshment point
Train station
Historic Porperty
Renting bikes
Farm market km 0
Area of natural interest
Open farmhouse didattics, sales
Dangerous crossin
Pic nic area
Parking
Bus Service