Lombardy takes its name from the Lombards, a Germanic people who dominated the region from the sixth to the eighth century A.D.
Since the first Iron Age Lombardy was a crossroads and a meeting point between the cultural areas of the Mediterranean and the continent. During the fifth and fourth centuries B.C. various Celtic tribes migrated into the region. Around 400 B.C. the Insubri people founded Milan.
In 222 B.C. was the beginning of Roman rule in Lombardy. Major monuments of the Roman era can still be seen in Brescia, at Sirmione, Como and in Milan. (View Images of Lombardy)

-Milan: details about Milan...

-Bergamo- Main sights: the upper city Venetian walls (17th century), Piazza Vecchia (old square), The Rocca, Baptistery and the Colleoni chapel, the 12th-century seat of government, Palazzo Vecchio, Church of Santa Maria Maggiore (fine example of Romanesque).

-Como- Important manufacturing centre with its famous silk industry, Como also bosts historic sights and many outstanding architectural treasures. They include the Romanesque chuches of S.Abbondio and S.Fedele, the Cathedral, Tempio Voltiano (Volta temple), Villa Olmo and the Palazzo Volpi art gallery. The city lies on the shores of Lake Como. (photos of Lake Como ).

-Lake Como- Main resorts: Lecco, Bellagio, Cadenabbia, Varenna, Bellano, Cernobbio, Menaggio.

-Lake Garda- Main resorts on Lombardy side: Desenzano del Garda, Sirmione, Limone sul Garda, Salò, Gardone Riviera.

-Mantova- It is a city with ancient origins and a rich artistic and architectural heritage (the Gonzagas dinasty). Mantova stores works by famous artists and painters like Mantegna, Pisanello and Giulio Romano.

-Pavia- It is an agricultural, and industrial centre, is well-known also for the important University of Pavia. Its most important architectural treasures are Castello Visconteo (Visconti castle), the university, the cathedral and the S. Michele church.

-Brescia- Second largest city in Lombardy, important centre for manufacturing, commercial and crafts industries, Brescia is just 20 km away from the banks of Lake Garda. In the surrounding countryside, vineyards and olive trees abound on the hills of Franciacorta, well known zone for production of excellent wine.

Wonderful natural scenarios, from north to south. From glaciers, rocky peaks, Alpine valleys (with the major resorts for winter sports), to the most beautiful lakes in Europe, hillsides covered in woods, vineyards and olive trees.

Famous theatres (La Scala), concert halls, exhibition areas provide venues for opera, concerts, plays, recitals, ballet, and sports events.