parks-and-gardens near Varenna
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...
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...
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...
We are part of the Anglican Church, belonging to the Diocese in Europe but we welcome all visitors of the Christian faith to our services of Holy Communion. These are held every Sunday at 10.30 am from the beginning of May to the end of October....
The parish church is located next to the historical centre of the village of Griante. It was built at the beginning of the 18th century on the site of an ancient temple, that was probably consecrated by St. Felice, bishop of Como. The church has a...
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...
Executed in Baroque style (17th c.), with single nave and wooden altar piece dating back to the 1600's. On the left side is a bell tower containing five bells. Inside is the "Madonna delle Grazie" fresco of the Lombardy school, statue of the...
The church of St. George is located in Bellagio, next to City Hall. It is contemporary with the Basilica of St. James, dating back to ' XI - XII century (dated between 1080 and 1120). Originally the apse and altar were facing east; but then moved...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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 splendid Parco Val Sanagra is a large territory rich with flora, fauna, and interesting antique rural settlements. In 2005, the unspoiled Sanagra Valley, situated in the commune of Grandola ed Uniti and Menaggio, was declared a local Park, in...
Il Giardino del Merlo is a botanical garden filled with exotic plants, bridges and tunnels, created on the steep rocks below the church of St. Euphemia from Musso. This park lies at the foot of a castle, now in ruins, linked to the name of Gian...
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....