Sightseeing tours, things to do and place to stay in Lezzeno, Lake Como.
Visit Lezzeno, Lake Como
Lezzeno lies on the road strada provincial 583, a few kilometers before reaching Bellagio. The municipality is very developed in length, well over 7 km, and consists of seventeen hamlets spread along the coast and on the slopes of the mountains Colmenacco, Forcoletta and San Primo.
Particularly active in the heyday of smuggling, Lezzeno has always been a town with a developed business attitude, which witnessed in the 1950s to a flourishing shipbuilding business.
All the walks through the many hamlets of Lezzeno offer special historical and architectural suggestions, such as the 17th-century Villa Citterio, surrounded by a beautiful public park overlooking the lake, and now become a rest home for the elderly since 1998.
Amazing is also the Via Crucis (the Stations of the Cross), with its beautiful 14 chapels, leading to the small church dedicated to the Holy Trinity and the 15th-century church of the Madonna dei Ceppi.
The peculiar morphology of the territory of Lezzeno also offers spectacular panoramic views, especially by boat excursions, which gives you the exclusive possibility of admiring, not only the various inhabited hamlets on the coast, but also the white cliffs of Grosgalli and the Blue Grotto, famous for unique reflections of water on the walls.
Furthermore, in the hamlet of Morbia you can find Palazzo Silva, built on the ashes of an ancient fortress. According to a local legend, there was here a hideout of witches who, in love with the handsome young men of Lenno, cast a spell on them to make them burn with love until they died.
In 1820 there were also illicit presences of Carboneria (a mafia society): Sardinian Odoardo Bonelli opened an establishment in Lezzeno as a cover for Carboneria activity. Among the Carbonari who stayed here, we especially remember Silvio Pellico.
What to see to visit and things to do in lezzeno Lake Como
The devil's Brige
Continuing downhill along the Mountains path of the Lariano Triangle, suddenly appears the Ravine of the Devil's Bridge, dominated by the limestone cliffs of Mount Nuvolone. A legend tells that in ancient times the sinister looking bridge was a meeting place for witches and wizards from where they cast spells and held their rituals esoteric ceremonies. Perhaps this is why, in the villages bordering the lake, still survives the saying Strìa de Léscen (witch of Lezzeno), and many of the legends of the villages on the opposite shore, are linked to the existence of the witches of Lezzeno.
Another popular saying of astronomical flavour about Lezzeno goes: Léscen de la sfortüna, inverno senza ‘l sûu a estâa senza la lüna (Lezzeno of the misfortune; in winter without the Sun and in summer without the Moon).
The Devil's bridge is, however, an artefact that has been preserved virtually intact over the centuries. Past the bridge, the antic trail climbs steeply uphill until it reaches the Provincial road. From here, Bellagio is only about 3 Km. away along the provincial road.
The XVI century Parish Church of Lezzeno
is dedicated to the Saints Quirico and Judith. Inside, on the wall behind and above to the main altar there is a big fresco by Giulio Quaglio, dating 1712. Of the late XVI century is the well sculptured wooden statue of a Dead Christ. Inside the annexed Oratory you can admire a Descent from the Cross by Andrea De Passeris, while of the end of the XV century is the Bas-relief, immured into the front wall of the Prist’s House, representing a Madonna with Child.
The ancient Oratory of Madonna dei Ceppi.
The church immersed into the green vegetation is set at the foot of the mountain at the hamlet of Cedraro. Inside there is the marble statue of a Madonna with Child of the 15th century.
The “Via Crucis”
With its 14 chapels set along the alley that climbs to the church of Santa Trinità.
The Oratory of Santa Maria
Recently restored, which is set by the Parish Church. Inside you can admire some pieces of antic frescoes of the 16th century; some valuable Baroque stuccos of the 17th century, and a scagliola front altar by the Maters Comacini.
The church of Saint Giuseppe
Set on the bank of the lake at Pescaù, which was built for the Bellini family at the end of the 17th century.
Historical Museum of the Navy Yard Molinari
Famous Master Carpenters and boat builders
The cave of the Bulderi at Grossalli
The last section of the ancient via Regia, which runs along the side of the mountain on the cliff with sheer walls on the lake known as Sassi di Grosgalli, a name of clear pre-roman origin. On the lake, perpendicular to this cliff, there open the Cave of the Bulderi, otherwise called the Blue Cave, which was once reachable only by boat. An ancient legend tells that in old times, in this cave sought refuge the Bulderi, which were fishes of the size of a man, which bodies were covered with scales so strong as to form a shell. These aquatic creatures belonging to a never specified race were therefore impossible to capture either because of their size which broke the nets, or because their armour of scales broke of the harpoons.
Inside cave has many stalactites and stalagmites, and he light filtering from the entrance gives to the water an incredible variations colours which reflect on the walls of the cave and envelope the tourists making them believe to have entered into an enchanted world.
Museum, villas, monuments and sights
Events, festivals and music in Lezzeno
Beaches and lidos, where to swim in Lezzeno
Lido di Lezzeno
Best treks and scenic hiking trails in Lezzeno
We suggest excursions to the mountains of Colmenacco (m. 1158), Forcoletta (m. 1236) e San Primo (m. 1685), which are part of the so called Triangolo Lariano, where you can see some old typical dwellings and farmstead. Someone said one hour is not enough to walk along the trails that link the seventeen hamlet of Lezzeno
If you want to go trekking, hiking or nordic-walling on Lake Como and discover trails above the Cadenabbia mountains, we recommend the team HIKING LAKE COMO. Francesca and Mario are professional and passionate certified guides, as well as enthusiastic local people. Contact here
Wow to get to Lezzeno
Curiosity and further deepening
Starting from 1500, the village of Lezzeno became also famous for its witches. What really happened?