Ispra in Winter

A wonder of the land: this is Ispra, a small town on the Lombard shore of Lake Maggiore in the province of Varese. In January and February, 4 guided tours will take you on a discovery of two stories: that of the Castelbarco family and the Mausoleum built on the hill overlooking Lake Maggiore, and that of lime production from the kilns, still preserved in a long stretch of the Ispra coast. Jan. 21 and 28, 3 p.m. You will visit the Castelbarco Mausoleum and the nearby cemetery. This is a neoclassical-inspired, masonry building, which is made entirely of gray and pink granite from Baveno, is set on a central plan, covered by a dome on a drum resting on columns, internally divided into two overlapping rooms. Inside is the tomb of Antonietta Castelbarco and other family members: a history of Ispra. Feb. 11 and 18, 3 p.m. You will walk along the lakeshore to reconstruct the history and technology of the lime kilns, which for more than a century characterized the productive economy of the small lake town. The easy, looped trail will take you inside one of the kilns and allow you to enjoy the colors and sounds of the lake in winter. A partial fee and reservations are required for both tours. For info and reservations, contact the IAT of the Municipality of Ispra. The tours are made possible thanks to the City of Ispra and a contribution from the Varesotto Community Foundation.