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The shores of Lake are still today a succession of small towns with ancient stone bell towers and sumptuous villas. In order to have a good vision of the beauties of the “Riviera” we highly recommend using the public boats. We recommend the day tickets that allow you to use boats as well as the ferries and visit more than one town with the same ticket. You may travel on the hydrofoils with this type of ticket but this implies paying a supplement. The central lake ticket for example includes , , Bellagio, Cadenabbia, and . There is also an interesting combined ticket: day ticket + entrance to . You can buy tickets at the Navigazioni Lago di Como ticket offices at the local boat landings.

COMO The splendid boat trip from Menaggio to Como, that takes 2 hours, gives you the possibility to admire ’s beautiful villas which are situated mainly on this branch of the lake and are difficult to see from the road. Como’s centre, located inside the antique medieval walls, is rich in monuments and artworks. In the piazza del Duomo (cathedral) you find the Broletto, the antique town hall built in 1200 and the town’s bell tower. The Duomo was built between the end of 1300 and the mid 1700’s and is a fusion of different architectural styles. The façade statues are astonishing. Behind the Duomo is the ex Casa del Fascio masterpiece of the rationalist architect Giuseppe Terragni considered the symbol of modern architecture. Como also hosts real gems of the Romanesque period like the church of S. Fedele, S. Abbondio, S. Carpoforo. Near the lake stands the neoclassic Voltiano temple erected in 1927 for the centennial of the death of Alessandro Volta, the inventor of the battery, born in Como. Next to the temple is the War Memorial constructed in 1933 based on the designs of futuristic architect Antonio Sant’Elia. We recommend the walk from Piazza Cavour to the gardens of in order to admire the beautiful neoclassical villas on the lake shore. On the town map of Como, available at the Tourist Office, the main monuments are indicated. From April till the end of September every Thursday afternoon at 14.30 and every Saturday morning at 10.00 a guided tour of Como starts from the Info-point in Via Maestri Comacini on the south side of the cathedral. Como has many fashionable shops and every Saturday (all day), Tuesday and Thursday (morning only) there is a big market along the ancient city walls. A ride with the funicu- lar to gives you an extraordinary view of the town. From Brunate there are a series of hikes you can do; ask for the descriptions.

BELLAGIO Bellagio also known as the Pearl of the Lake is situated on the watershed peninsula that divides the two branches of the lake. Its extraordi- nary position, its little alleys like the Salita Serbelloni with numerous shops with local handcraft, the superb villas make it an enchanting place. Villa Serbelloni located on top of the peaked headland, has the lake’s largest park with a splendid view of the two branches of the Lake. It is open every day, apart from Monday from 1 April till the beginning of November. The visits, only guided, take place twice a day at 11.00 and at 15.30; reservations for the visit must be made at the Promobellagio office in Piazza della Chiesa 15 min. before the guided visit starts, max. 30 pax. In the same Piazza stands the Basilica of S. Giacomo of the XI century, a good example of the Lombardian Romanesque style. In able to know more about Bellagio’s monuments ask for the historic itinerary through the town. At the northern end of the town is the panoramic Punta Spartivento that offers a view of all three arms of the lake. About 800 m south of the car ferry landing are the beautiful gardens of Villa Melzi open from 28 March till 30 October from 9.30 till 18.30. Described by Stendhal, also this noble resi- dence had among its guests famous personalities: from the Emperors Francesco I and Ferdinand of Austria to the musician Liszt. The leaflet “Villas of the Central Lake area” gives you the history of the villas.

VARENNA The boat trip from Menaggio to Varenna gives you one of the most spectacular views of Lake Como as the boat crosses the middle of the lake, right there where the 3 branches - Como, , Alto Lago - meet. The peaceful town with its colourful houses is graciously woven into the mountain landscape dominated by the ruins of the a most wonderful view point. The castle, built in the 13th century, can be reached by foot (uphill) in approx. 30 min. from the ferry dock. It is open to the public from 28 February till 29 March on Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 till 17.00 and from 1 April till 2 November daily from 10.00 till 18.00; closed in case of bad weather. From Vezio along the Viandante, an ancient path way, you can walk in one hour to the town . The town also hosts beautiful villas like Villa Monastero which gardens you can visit from 13 March till 10 October daily. Worth a visit are also the splendid gardens of Villa Cipressi which are located close to Villa Monastero. We also recommend the walk to the source of “Fiume Latte”, ’s shortest river. It springs from a cavern in the mountains and it disappears during the winter; ask the for the leaflet with the itinerary.

TREMEZZO Tremezzo extends itself between the shores of the lake and the beautiful hilly hinterland at the foot of Monte Crocione. The lovely walk from Lenno to leads through the upper part of Tremezzo, ask for the route description. Among the antique sumptuous villas that you find in the Tremezzo area outstands the world famous “Villa Carlotta” of the 18 century with its marvellous park with rare plants and trees of many kinds. In April and May one can admire the Azalea and Rhododendron flowering. Also the inside of the villa, with its prominent art collection such as sculptures by Canova, paintings by Hayez, is open to the public. Opening times of Villa Carlotta: from 14 March till 14 November daily; from April till the end of October from 9.00-18.00; March and November from 10.00 till 16.00. Since more than 10 years, every Friday night during the summer months, an international revue of chamber music is held in the villa. At the end of the town (direction Como) there is the lovely public park Olivelli directly on the lake. The leaflet “historic itinerary through Tremezzo” will describe you the numerous attractions of this town.

PIONA ABBEY This boat ride gives you the possibility of admiring the beautiful mountain scenery around the northern part of the lake. The Piona Abbey stands in a wonderful position at the end of the peninsula, overlooking the small inner lake of Piona. The Abbey is of great his- torical and artistic interest. The church (of the XI century) was built according to the typical model of the small Romanesque buildings of the Como area. The stunning cloister at the side of the church built in 1275, is a combination of Romanesque and gothic style, surrounded by refined columns and decorated with paintings from different periods. The abbey of Piona is kept by the Cistercian Monks who distil excellent liqueurs and herbs infusions. Ask for the leaflet on the abbey. Gravedona is an important centre on the north-western shore of the lake, rich with history and art. In the IV an V century it was the centre of spreading Christianity in the upper part of the lake and together with Dongo and formed the domain of the Tre Pievi. The extra- ordinary Romanesque church of S. Maria del Tiglio, that stands somewhat away from the built up area, is one of the most important Romanesque buildings of the province. Built in the XII century it preserves precious frescoes and a wooden crucifix. Of large interest are also the churches S. Maria delle Grazie with frescos of the 14th and 15th century and the one dedicated to the saints Gusmeo and Matteo with frescos by Fiamminghino of the 16th century. During the summer guided visits of the churches are organized by the Cooperativa Imago tel. 0344 82572, leaflet with dates available. Not to miss is the magnificent Palazzo Gallio that stands directly on the lake, with its towers and loggia built in the 15th century as the summer residence of Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio. During the summer months it hosts the Pianomaster Festival. Highly recommended is the walk from Gravedona to (1.30 hrs) which leads up to the hamlet Segna offer- ing a splendid view on the northern end of the lake; ask for the leaflet. Every first and third Wednesday there is a market at Gravedona.

LENNO The town Lenno lies around the beautiful bay called “Baia di Venere”, formed by the peninsula Lavedo. The town treasures numerous religious buildings considered important works of art like for example the crypt of the parish church S Stefano in the centre of the town facing the Romanesque baptistery of S. Giovanni of the XI century. In the upper part of town stands the monastery of Acquafredda with its lively frescos. Detailed information is given in the leaflet “Historic itinerary through Lenno”. From the monastery of Acquafredda you can walk to the monastery of “San Benedetto” in Val Perlana, an important Romanesque building (2.00 hrs. one way). On the far end of the peninsula Lavedo stands one of the most famous villas of the lake, the villa Balbianello built in the 17th century on order of Cardinal Angelo Durini. Its beautiful gardens are open to the public from 15 March till 16 November from 10.00 till 18.00, Monday and Wednesday closed. About 800 m from the landing stage at Lenno, close to the Lido of Lenno, there is a regular taxi boat service to the villa. Only on Tuesday Saturday and Sunday the pathway leading to the villa is open (1,5 km from the boat landing stage). From Lenno you can walk up the Sacro Monte of . Between 1635 and 1714 the 14 chapels dedicated to the mysteries of the rosary were built along the pathway leading up to the church of the Madonna del Soccorso; due to its artistic and historical importance it was declared Heritage of Humanity. Ask for the itinerary. Every Tuesday there is a lively market at Lenno.

BELLANO Bellano is an important centre situated on the eastern shore of the lake, around the mouth of the river . The well known Orrido, the deep gorge formed by the river, can be visited thanks to stairways and foot bridges hewn in the rocks that allow to admire the power of the water from close-by. It is open from the 1st of April till the end of September daily from10.00 till 13,00 and from 14,30 till 19.00; July and August also from 20.45 till 22.00; from the 1st of October till the 31st of March on Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 till 12.30 and from 14.00 till 17.00. In the lovely piazza in the historical centre stands the parish church of SS. Nazaro, Celso and Giorgio with frescos of the 15th century. In the same piazza stands the church S. Marta. Every Thursday there is a market in the town. Very nice is the walk (3.00 hrs.) from Bellano to on the “Sentiero del Viandante, the old roman connection road; ask for the route description.

ARGEGNO is situated at the beginning of the beautiful “Val d’Intelvi” and has a small historic centre that has maintained its medieval struc- ture. There is an antique bridge at the point where the original roman road “Via Regina” used to pass. Not to miss is the cable car ride from Argegno to the village (860 m) with an extraordinary view of the lake, and the surrounding mountains; summer timetable: from 8.00 till 12.00 and from 14.00 till 17.00 every 30 minutes. From Pigra one can take a beautiful hike to the settlement Corniga and from there down to . (2.30 hrs.; ask for the leaflet). From Colonno you can follow the Greenway, an interesting and easy walk that fol- lows parts of the ancient roman road called Antica Strada Regina, to Cadenabbia.

ISOLA COMACINA Not far from the shore, in front of the town Ossuccio with its beautiful churches of S. Giacomo and S. Maria Madalena and the town , lies the Comacina Island, the only Island of lake Como. Apart from its little white church dedicated to S. Giovanni, it preserves the ruins of its illustrious past when it hosted 5 churches all destroyed in the XII century after a violent battle with Como’s inhabitants. Today the Island is not inhabited but a walk along its pathways to the ruins of some of the old religious buildings and not to forget the famous restaurant, the Locanda dell’Isola make a visit worth while. Every year at the end of the month of June the Feast of S. Giovanni takes place with a big fire work display which ends with the symbolic burning down of the Island to remember its complete destruction in the XII century.

DONGO Dongo is situated on the north western shore of the lake. One of the reasons that made it an important centre, was the ancient roman road behind the town, leading through the valley called Valle to the S. Jorio pass that connected it with Switzerland. Its historic centre has maintained its antique urban structure. Of interest are the parish church S.Stefano and in the square facing the lake the neoclassical “Palazzo Manzi”. Do not miss the Romanesque church S. Maria Martinico at the back of the town and the close by area called Barbignano with its small cobble stoned streets. Behind the S. Stefano church, you can follow the lovely lake side walk to Gravedona (50 min.). Ask for the map of Dongo and Gravedona. Every first and third Wednesday there is a market at Dongo. Suggestion for a full day in the upper lake area: in the morning take the hydrofoil or bus line C10 (direction ) to Dongo. After the visit of the town walk to Gravedona. After the visit of Gravedona cross the lake with the boat to the Abbey of Piona. After seeing the Abbey take the boat back to the central lake area.

LECCO The town is situated at the lower end of the eastern branch of the lake and stretches along the eastern bank of the river . In its histori- cal centre, one can still see the ruins of the city walls, the moat which closed off the Medieval town and also the imposing bridge built between 1336 and 1338 by Azzone Visconti. The ancient via Cavour leads to square named after Garibaldi where there is the theatre Sociale and eventually reaches the narrow square Piazza XX Settembre where the Visconti tower stands now museum and exhibition cen- tre. The nobility used to live in the castle (Palazzo Belgioioso), today Museum of Archaeology and Natural Sciences open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30 till 14.00. Another important building is the Museo Manzoniano, once residence of the Manzoni family, displaying manuscripts of the famous writer Alessandro Manzoni, who wrote the master piece “I Promessi Sposi” – the Betrothed, works of art and original furniture of the period. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30 till 17.30. Every Wednesday morning and Saturday there is a market at Lecco.

by Mathilde Zuijdwegt - Menaggio Tourist Office - Edition 2010 I.A.T. MENAGGIO - COMUNE DI MENAGGIO

ARTI GRAFICHE SAMPIETRO & C. s.a.s. - MENAGGIO