Laveno-Mombello

Laveno-Mombello is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Varese in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 75 km northwest of Milan and about 25 km northwest of Varese. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 8,991 and an area of 25.9 km2. It sits at the foot of Sasso del Ferro.

History
The name of Laveno comes from two denominations: the first is from the Latin word "labes", which means "landslide"; the second denomination is from the Roman general Titus Labienus, that gives his name to the port (Portus Labienus) and subsequently to the surrounding area. The radix of the name is actually just in the main road of the town, via Labiena. Titus Labienus is considered responsible for naming Mombello too, after a battle against the Gauls ("mons belli" means "war hill"). A different interpretation says that the meaning is "monte bello", which is "beautiful hill".

In the 19th century, Laveno Mombello was home to important ceramic industries. Today, it is a port town that connects the province of Varese with Verbania and the famous Borromean Islands across Lake Maggiore.

The municipality was formed in 1927 to encompass the previously separate centres of Laveno, Mombello and Cerro.

Laveno-Mombello borders the following municipalities: Caravate, Castelveccana, Cittiglio, Ghiffa, Leggiuno, Sangiano. Stresa and Verbania are in front of the town across the lake.

Transport
Laveno-Mombello is served by Laveno-Mombello railway station, managed by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana, and by Laveno-Mombello Nord railway station, managed by Ferrovienord. A car ferry links the town with Intra (Verbania) on the western side of Lago Maggiore.