Lonato stands on a hill with panoramic views. On the via Emilia,
which linked Gallia to Aquileia, Lonato has numerous monuments
which suggest that quite a long visit is necessary. First of all
there is the Basilica, built in the 1700's by Paolo Soratini;
inside there are works of art by Andrea Celesty and Bernardino
Licinio. It is also worth mentioning the Rocca, erected
in the XI century and then rebuilt in the XIV century. Then there
is the town square, the Civic Tower and the Podestà
House which has now become the Ugo da Como Foundation.
In the fifteenth century building there is an impressive library
with over 50.000 volumes more than 400 incunabula and just as
many illuminated manuscripts and codex. The chinaware, furniture,
majolicaware and paintings are very interesting. In the fifteenth
century Church of the Vergine del Corlo there are paintings
by Morone and Moretto next to fourteenth century frescoes and
Soratini stuccos. Nearby stands Abbey of Maguzzano, destroyed
by the Hungarians and reconstructed between the XII and XV Centuries.
Here, according to tradition, resided the satiric poet Teofilo
Folengo. The surroundings area offers interesting visits to parish
Churches, Sanctuaries and Castles.
