The story begins: 1843

Davide Bregonzio, future herbalist and Garibaldian, is born. At this time, the Sacred Mount of Varese (specifically, Santa Maria del Monte) was a municipality independent of the city; it had a post office, a school, and a music band.

1860

At 16, Davide Bregonzio, still a minor, took part in Garibaldi’s expeditions in Campania.

Garibaldi’s expeditions in Campania were an integral part of the events that led to Italian unification in 1860, particularly during the Second Italian War of Independence and the Southern Italy Campaign. These expeditions are primarily linked to Giuseppe Garibaldi and his Alpine Hunters, a volunteer corps who fought for the country’s unification.

1860 – 1870

Davide Bregonzio moved to Algeria, where he discovered the orange, known locally as “al borducan.” This experience inspired him to create a liqueur combining the aroma of oranges with the Alpine herbs of his homeland, the Sacro Monte and Campo dei Fiori.

1865

Davide opened the first soft drinks shop at the Sacro Monte, located in the current location of the Milano Restaurant at the end of Viale delle Cappelle on the left side, offering refreshments to pilgrims and promoting his Elisir.

The store simply bore the name “Caffè del Davide” but also featured the words “Fabbrica dell’Elixir Al Borducan”.

Davide, a herbalist, not only prepared the liqueur we know today here, but also created various preparations for local pharmacies.

1872

Davide patented Elixir Al Borducan, a liqueur made with orange peel and mountain herbs. Initially, he distributed it in pharmacies in Varese, but even today, documents exist that attest to the fact that this liqueur was actually sought after outside the province. Orders of bourgeois Milanese families actually attest to the existence of two liqueurs, “the orange one and the herbal one,” according to some notes found in the cellars of the Caffè del Borducan.

1905

The café, until now simply known as “Caffè del Davide,” is moving: the new location is the building across the street and is renamed “Caffè del Borducan.” What had previously been a simple shop-bought liqueur has become a famous product of the Santa Maria del Monte district, so much so that the family has given the new café its name.

The place was sold years later to the Montorfano family, who still own it today, and who gave it its name.

1924

The funicular railway arrives in the village of Santa Maria del Monte, part of the Varese tram network, and this means only one thing for the village’s residents: the arrival of tourism. And so the Bregonzio family also decides to make a change in its history.

This time it was Anita Bregonzio, Davide’s daughter-in-law, who began a new chapter: she commissioned the construction of the current Art Nouveau building, designed by master builder Francesco Piccoli, a collaborator of the architect Giuseppe Sommaruga.

Giuseppe Sommaruga was among the most fashionable figures of his time. His architectural signature can be found in several historic buildings in Varese, most notably the Grand Hotel al Campo dei Fiori.

The building serves both as a public establishment, on the ground floor, and as the private residence of the Bregonzio family, on the first floor. The building also includes an apartment on the basement level, which was rented to a family from Milan.

The green marble bar counter, the circular room with wood paneling, the floral frescoes on the ceiling, the decorations on the façade, and the panoramic balcony: these are some of the elements that have remained intact and unchanged to this day.

1927

Elixir Al Borducan receives the “Gold Medal and Grand Prix Cross Diploma” at the Rome Trade Fair, attesting to the quality and prestige of the liqueur.

The award was presented to Anita Angiolini, widow of Davide Bregonzio, for “the exclusive and superior specialty of Elixir.”

The historical document still hangs today in the Caffè del Borducan.

Bruno and Anna Bregonzio carry on the story

In the story, it’s the turn of siblings Bruno and Anna Bregonzio, Anita’s children and Davide’s grandchildren, who continue the family tradition. Bruno continues to produce orange liqueur in the Borducan cellars, while Anna dedicates part of her time to managing the establishment.

One element that Varese still remembers today is the “del Bruno” music box bottle: the liqueur was poured from a bottle with a music box attached to the base that would resonate, creating a magical atmosphere. The bottle (one of them) is still preserved today, intact and in working order.

After the passing of Anita and then Bruno, Borducan passed through several managements, always keeping its historical legacy alive.

1998

After Bruno’s passing, the place passed into the hands of his nephews, Armando and Franco, Anna’s sons, who still carry on the family tradition, the place, and its liqueur.

The Caffè del Borducan remained closed until 2000, years during which a light renovation of the private floors transformed the building into a hotel, housing 9 rooms all furnished with original Borducan furniture, also obtaining 4 stars.

Bruno’s grandchildren were then succeeded by several different owners, each trying to keep his historical legacy alive and maintaining the architecture of the place intact in every detail.

Significant features of the Borducan’s architecture include the inscription surrounding the entire building, a fresco preserved to this day from 1924, the wood-paneled room with a ceiling frescoed with flowers, and the stone fireplace in the fireplace room.

2017 The new management

May 2017 – Management of Caffè del Borducan is taken over by Riccardo Santinon, who, with experience in the hotel industry and a stint abroad, is dedicated to enhancing the venue’s historic significance.

It was under Riccardo’s management that the Candlelight Dinner format was born, thanks to the restaurant’s rooms that lend themselves perfectly to hosting a more refined evening service.

The traditional café services, snacks, and lunchtime dining remain, but the offerings have evolved into a cuisine that showcases local produce. This offering appeals to all generations, from those who remember Borducan as a “place to hang out, sipping elixirs on the terrace” to those who know it today and stop by for a slice of cake.

2024 The first centenary of Borducan

The Borducan is celebrating its centenary, organizing a series of events to commemorate the building’s 100th anniversary and its rich history.

October 4th was chosen as the day to celebrate the venue and its history: friends, customers, and colleagues joined the festivities at Borducan. Over 200 guests arrived that Thursday evening to celebrate with the Bregonzio family and the Santinon management, all wearing orange accents in honor of the historic liqueur.