Visit Mandello del Lario, Lake Como
Mandello del Lario, with its 10,493 inhabitants, is one of the most populated municipalities on Lake Como.
There is great mystery about the origin of its name: it perhaps comes from the Celtic population of Mandubi, perhaps from the Latin gens Mandel. The most likely hypothesis, however, seems to be the derivation from the Latin anthroponym Amandus (or its female counterpart Amanda). This is also supported by the finding of a marble funerary stele engraved with the name Amandus.
For centuries it was a famous center for its silks. However, right here in 1921 the legendary Moto Guzzi was founded, one of the most famous Italian brands in the world. The three founders were none other than Knight Emanuele Vittorio Parodi, his son Giorgio and their friend Carlo Guzzi.
You need to know that the eagle, the company logo, was chosen to honor the memory of the fourth partner, Giovanni Ravelli, a motorcycle racer and aviator, who died shortly before the company was established.
A fun fact?
Mandello del Lario is a municipality consisted of two separate territories, although they can be linked by lake. Moregallo, in fact, is located on the opposite shore of the lake and is under the municipality of Mandello del Lario anyway.
What to do, to visit and to see in Mandello del Lario
Itinerary 1 - The historic village and the Church of S. Giorgio
Our first itinerary in Mandello begins at the pier, in the central Piazza Italia.
Reach the arcade in front and walk to the right past the historic Costantin ice-cream shop; after two arcades you soon reach Mandello's most picturesque spot, the old port: an oasis of peace, made up of pastel-colored arches and historic houses decorated with flowering balconies and creepers, all accompanied by the gentle pitching of the boats on the shore. The landscape is postcard-perfect.
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Itinerary 2 - From the Church of St. Giorgio to the Barbarossa Tower
Well, we leave the church and, after enjoying the view above Mandello del Lario, we continue on our way.
Turning our backs to the church, we take the well-marked Via del Viandante, a cobblestone road that climbs to the right (also marked by blue arrow over a manhole). Continue to house number 1E, where you will find a private road that climbs to the right taking you into the hamlet of Maggiana, and finally to the Barbarossa Tower.
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Itinerary 3 - The park, the cannon and the Mandello Lido
Once off the boat, walk down Via del Porto to your left and reach Piazza Garibaldi. As you walk along the lake, you will notice a large cannon pointing toward the water, one of Mandello's most photographed attractions.
You are free to imagine that this very powerful weapon was in defense of the town and remains to this day in its original position in memory of the many battles, but this is not the case.
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Itinerary 4 - Discovering the GUZZI Myth
From Piazza Italia, just in front of the pier, you can see a small arcade that leads you to the Archpriest's Church of San Lorenzo. Go straight along Via XXIV Maggio to the intersection with Via Bertola. Turn right and then follow the left curve to Via Diaz.
Shortly after, you can see on your right Villa Confalonieri, a 1913 Art Noveau-style mansion. Just ahead, at number 5, is the wonderful villa that was once the residence of Carlo Guzzi, the co-founder of Moto Guzzi.
Click HERE to read the ITINERARY
Sailing in Mandello del lario
LNI Sezione di Mandello del Lario
Indirizzo: Via Pra Magno n.8
Tel. 0341 730355
Email: mandellodellario@leganavale.it
www.lnimandello.it
Rowing in Mandello del lario
Mandello del Lario is one of the cornerstones of the Italian rowing tradition: the Mandello rowing section is now considered the university of Italian rowing thanks to the many champions who have come out of its school.
For enthusiasts, there is the possibility of going out on the lake by boat: from singles to fours, not forgetting the "sulkava churchboat," a 14-person Finnish boat.
Canottieri Moto Guzzi
Indirizzo: via Statale n. 51
Tel. 0341 733792
www.canottierimotoguzzi.it
Museum, villas, monuments and sights
Events, weekly local street market, festivals and music in Mandello del Lario
There is a weekly local street market in Mandello Monday morning.
Beaches and lidos, where to swim in Mandello del Lario
Click HERE to get to the Lido di Mandello
Best treks and scenic hiking trails in Mandello del Lario
If you want to go trekking, hiking or nordic-walling on Lake Como and discover trails above Mandello 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.
How to get to Mandello del Lario