parks-and-gardens near La Casa delle Rondini

Photo: Ktulu

Como is Lake Como's largest city where you will find shopping, works of art, churches, gardens, museums, theatres, parks and palaces. Places to go inlcude the Duomo, the Basilica of Sant'Abbondio, Villa Olmo, the Volta Temple and Museum, the Teatro...

High on the road is the sanctuary of the Madonna of Peace, erected in 1659 to celebrate the peace of Pirenei, which ended the Thirty Year War between the French and Spaniards. Characteristic is the Romanesque hanging bell (sec. XIII), and in the...

A series of chapels depicting Christ’s final journey to Mount Golgotha. The traditional 14 stations have been added to with a 15th dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows and are located in a rectangular square in front of the parish church, dedicated to...

This parish church rebuilt between 1725 and 1738, is a remarkable example of Baroque art. Inside, in addition to the frescoes of Luigi Tagliaferro, is a valuable painting of the "Madonna of the Seven Sorrows" and a wooden statue of Lorenzo Matieli...

Small church dating back to the eleventh century dedicated to Santa Margherita and linked to the cult of the Saints Hermits Larian. Its location is strategically significant as a testimony to its military origin, in defense of the Valsassina and...

In 1688, a plaster relief of the Madonna of Sorrows kept in the small chapel of Lezzeno is said to have cried. And thus, in 1690 a Sanctuary was built in her honour. The work designed by Giovanni Battista Quadrio, was completed in 1704. Today we can...

Photo: By Wolfgang Sauber

Probably dated around the XII century. The building is located near the walls of a castle, a large complex built by the hands of Andreani. Over the centuries it has undergone several extensive restorations: the facade, remodeled several times, now...

The church, that stands near the lake, contains interesting frescoes, and the outside is characterized by an open porch to the lake with a double lancetwindow and a tall stone bell tower. It was the church of the community, which remained...

The church of S. Eufemia is located in a panoramic position on a rock cliff of the Sasso di Musso. You can reach it only by foot from the village Genico, by following a path which was probabilly built by the Romans. From the church there is a lovely...

This church was built between 1464 and 1474. Its bell tower still preserves pre-existing Romanesque elements. Inside, the church is richly decorated with paintings On the front of the church a large white marble portal shows decorations and symbols...

The church S. Carlo which was built in 1614 on order of Cinzio Calvi so that he and his wife could have their tombs in it. The church has a characteristic Spanish style bell tower a reminder of the period of Spanish domination in the 15-16th...

This church is located in the village Nobiallo just north of Menaggio. The houses are clustered around the church which stands on the Antica Strada Regina, the antique Roman Road that connected Como with Alpine passes. The characteristic leaning...

The church S. Marta is of ancient origins. On the facade you can see the Roman memorial plaque of Minicio Exorato, a notable of the Roman empire; above it the town-arms. Inside the church there are some interesting paintings of the 17th century....

The parish church of S. Stefano is of very ancient origins whose original Roman structures have however been lost; in fact the orientation itself is in the opposite direction of its primitive setting. The church has three naves which, in 1899, were...

The parish church of Saints Nazaro Celso with the black-white Gothic front, was built in 1348 by Giovanni Ugo di Campione and architects from the valley Intelvi. The church has some beautiful rose windows and frescoes of the Lombard school. The...

Photo: Peverelli Lecco

The church stands on a hill that dominates the valley. The current building is the result of a series of operations occurred over the centuries. Rebuilt on top of the pre-existing building, in the 16th century the church was formed of only one...

Photo: Kaitu

The church stands in the beautiful small square of the village Barna. It was built as a Parish church in 1636. The inside presents itself with one nave and three side chapels....

Photo: Enrico Colzani

One of the finest examples of Lombard-Romanesque with an intact apse. The parish Church of San Giacomo (St. James) dates back to the 12th century. The rest of the structure has undergone numerous restorations, especially during the 18th century....

A simple, hut-like church, interrupted only by two slits and, at the top by a cross window. The church S. Maria in Martinico rises in a slightly elevated position compared with the center of Dongo. Below, the simple portal opens up with a architrave...

This is one of the oldest churches in the Lake Como area and the oldest one in Varenna. Dated back at the 11th century, this Church is defined by the Belfry built toward the lake, as usual at that time, and it keeps inside few frescoes from the 14th...

Photo: Mattis

The Piona Priory or Piona Abbey, is a religious complex on the Lecco bank of Lake Como in the territory of the municipality of Colico, northern Italy. The abbey is set at the top of a small peninsula, the Olgiasca, which – like a crooked finger –...

Photo: Michael Ortelli

A perfect morning or afternoon hike with stunning views of Lake Como. San Martino is Lake Como’s most famous mountain church perched on a top a cliff above the town of Griante. Its official name is "Santuario Della Madonna delle Grazie di San...

Consecrated on 1313, the parish church of San Giorgio is a small masterpiece of the 14th century Lombardy architecture. Located in the main square, this is a basilica with nave and two aisles embellished by a rose window and a fresco portraying...

Extending along the Breggia river, this park is renown for its geological importance and was Switzerland’s first “geo-park”. The area is rich in fossils and evidence of ancient seas. Of historical interest is the Red Church (14th c.) and a castle...

A natural reserve located between Menaggio and Lake Lugano. It boasts a remarkably varied ecosystem, where different habitats coexist closely together. Many arboreal and floral species can be found in the marsh with abundance of specimens. The...

Located next to Villa d’Este, the garden of Villa Pizzo has an Italian arrangement on the east side, with tidy paths that travel through flower beds, and baroque fountains. On the western side, the old dock opens onto the pool of Villa d’Este, while...

Villa del Grumello is an historical mansion placed in a breathtaking setting: a wonderful park overlooking the lake. Surrounded by secular trees, it boasts an incredible view and charms its visitors with its elegance and magnificence. The park of...

Located in Lake Pusiano between Como and Lecco whose name is due to the presence of over 130 cypresses, most of them old-centuries ones. The isle is a natural hill and was fortified during the medieval period. The isle hosts a private residence,...

Parco Mayer is located at the village of Tremezzo, large and full of history hosts the swimmers among the trees, there is a bar, a pebble beach and a beach volleyball court. During the summer period is also home to several events organized by the...

Spina Verde Regional Park stretches on the hills northwest of Como. The area has many interesting features: nature - with its particular geology and vegetation; archeology - with remains from the medieval Baradello Castle to recent trenches of Sasso...

The Park and the Villa Carcano at Anzano, in the Alta Brianza (Northern Italy), between the cities of Como and Lecco, are of exceptional landscaping, architectural and botanical value. This site has remained seemingly untouched in a region that...

Come and see the Italian garden that dates back to the XVII Century with its geometrical schema, stair and terraces, statues and fountains; feel the echoes of the Romantic period, still alive in the structure of the park with old trees of big size...

The garden hosts about 450 plant species each identified by a label indicating the common name, Latin name and family. A red dot even indicates poisonous or highly toxic plants. Valmadrera’s particular climatic-environmental conditions, has resulted...

Monte Barro, a beautiful and charming terrace overlooking the Brianza area and its lakes. It is surrounded by Lake Como, Lake Annone, Lake Garlate and is situated above Galbiate: 922 meters high on the calcareous-dolomite mountain, completely...

Protected oasis Pian di Spagna, located between the mouths of the rivers Mera and Adda with easy trails that cross the area ideal for cycling and bird watching. This swampy area is an important nesting place for several species of birds which find...

The Teresio Olivelli municipal park, formerly Giardino Meier, may be one of the best kept secrets among Tremezzo's botanical and architectural gems. Owned by the municipality of Tremezzo since 1979, it is between the lake and the Regina state road,...

The entrance to the Cesare and Emilio Prandoni Retirement Home is set along picturesque steps that lead from Torno's town hall to the lake, where the boat jetty and church of Santa Tecla are located. The park adjacent to the building is set on the...

Nesso is a picturesque village on the eastern shore of the Como branch of Lake Como, at the mouth of the valley to the lake. Here, in the hamlet Coatesa, there is the Orrida of Nessus, a deep and picturesque gorge located at the mouth of the valleys...

Garden consisting of reclaimed land that had previously been a garbage dump. The project began in the 1980s and was the genius idea of Mrs. Pupa Frati (affectionately known as Grandma Pupa). The Association of the “Garden in the Valley" is a...

A great meeting point in Como right on the water. Just minutes from the train station and harbour for ferries, Rapido and private boats alike. Ideal for a walk, sit at a café or have a meal....

Villa Melzi is a historic villa situated in the town of Bellagio. It is famous for its surrounding gardens, containing a variety of botanical specimens from around the world interspersed with statues, promenades and period architecture. Entrance...

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