Discovering the Sacred Area of Gravedona
Our itinerary starts from the Infopoint in Gravedona, exactly here. (46.143526990370376, 9.30507018347466).
We set off on the road to our left, via Roma, passing in front of Le Terrazze Restaurant. After 200 meters a group of cypresses introduces us to our destination, where the silhouette of a beautiful and highly original Romanesque church catches our attention. We are in the Sacred Area of Gravedona in the presence of a true jewel of the lake, the Church of Santa Maria del Tiglio. The building is adjacent to the parish church of San Vincenzo, also famous for its medieval crypt.
This area was already a place of worship in Roman times. In the two churches, in fact, there are salvaged materials from the period, and it is assumed that the buildings arose precisely on the ruins of a pagan temple. The charm of the Church of Santa Maria del Tiglio will captivate you. Its name seems to derive from a linden tree that grew on its bell tower just at the end of its construction.
Click HERE to read what you will find inside this wonderful church.
As soon as you leave the church, pay attention to your left: a small entrance on the side of the large parish church will take you to the crypt below, a fascinating and mysterious place, very similar to the crypt hidden under the presbytery area of Lenno parish. Of great historical interest are also the frescoes dating back to the 14th century and the early medieval and Romanesque capitals.
Click HERE to discover the crypt.
Once out of the crypt you can visit the parish above with its elegant arcade (If you want to learn more about its history click HERE).
Be sure to go to the back of the Church of Santa Maria del Tiglio; it's not every day that you see a Romanesque church facing directly onto the turf by the lake.