Area: 23,872 square kilometres
Population: 8,924,900
Regional capital:Milan (Milano in Italian) (pop. 1,303,200)
Main cities: Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Cremona, Lecco, Lodi, Mantova, Pavia, Sondrio, Varese
Main rivers: River Po, River Adda, River Oglio, River Ticino
Main lakes: Lake Maggiore, Lake Como, Lago d’Iseo, Lago d’Idro, Lake Garda
Main mountains:Pizzo Bernina (4049m), Ortles (3905m); Cevedale (3757m) Monte Disgrazia (3678m) Adamello (3554m)
Make up of landscape: mountains: 41%, hills: 12%, plain 47%
Main industries: agriculture: 4%, industry: 53% other: 43%
Lombardia Weather:In the mountain areas lots of snow, round the lakes the weather is mild and pleasant, while on the plain there are hot summers, cold winters and frequent fog.
The landscape is split almost 50:50 mountains and plain. The Alpine part is in the north, the hills in the centre and the plain in the south. The large glacial lakes for which the region is famous – Garda, Como, Iseo and Idro - are in the prealpine area. The Po Valley is very fertile and the River Po is the major river in the region.
Inhabited since prehistoric times, Lombardy became a dominion of the Gauls in the 5th century BC. It successively belonged to the Romans, the Barbarians, the Longobards then the French. In the 11th and 12th centuries many Lombardy cities became independent, successfully opposing Federico Barbarossa. This intercity rivalry helped the rise of the aristocracy, first the Visconti of Milan, then the Sforza. The Spanish domination in the 16th century led to a crisis, exacerbated by plague. Lombardy became part of the Hapsburg Empire in the 18th century and the region started to recover and was one of the principal regions in Italy’s ‘rinascimento’. Lombardia became independent at the end of World War Two.
Milan has many architectural wonders, among them the Duomo di Milano with its stunning Gothic façade, which is the 3rd largest church in the world. The golden ‘madonnina,’ symbol of Milan, sits on top of one of its spires. La Scala, the world famous lyrical opera house, is located in Milan. A museum next to the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie houses Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper’ and the Biblioteca Ambrosiana has many of da Vinci’s drawings and books.
Built around 1200, this is part of an amazing canal system connecting Milan with Lake Maggiore in the north and the river Po in the south. The 50km long Naviglio Grande is flanked by beautiful 17th and 18th century villas.
This city is world famous for its violin-making and has a rich musical heritage - it was home to Antonio Stradivari. Visit the lovely rose-coloured main square – Piazza del Comune and the Cathedral and Baptistery. The town has the highest bell tower in Europe, the Terrazzo.
Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano in the west, Lake Garda in the east… Italy’s “lake district” is a magical place. Apart from its stunning beauty and pretty lakeside villages, there are also festivals and markets to enjoy as well as interesting architecture, beautiful villas and great restaurants, plus cycling, horse riding, windsurfing and boating. The town of Sirmione on Lake Garda, dating back to Roman times, is one of many worth visiting.
The city is divided into a higher and lower part with two centres and a funicular railway. There are countless monuments and historical sights to explore including the Palazzo della Ragione and the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore.
The second largest city in Lombardy, it still retains many signs of pre-Roman and Roman occupation, including the street layout. It has an imposing castle and two cathedrals. Also great shopping!
This lovely historic city is almost surrounded by three artificial lakes and even has canals like Venice! The city was named ‘most liveable city in Italy 2005’ by Legambiente. The 500-room Palazzo Ducale is one of many ‘must-see’ sights.
The town is famous for its ancient university, founded in 1361 and just one of its many famous sites, most notable being the Certosa monastery just outside the city and the cathedral – Duomo di Pavia - which took almost 500 years to complete.
You can fly to Milan Malpensa or Bergamo. The lakes are easily accessed from Zurich (Switzerland), Verona and Lugano. Flybe go to Milan from Birmingham and Manchester, Easyjet go from Edinburgh, Bristol and Gatwick, Ryanair from many UK airports to Bergamo.
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