Page 148 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Milan & The Lakes

146  THE LAKES OF NOR THERN IT AL Y

8 Abbazia } Orrido
di Piona Tel 0341-82 11 24. Open Apr–Jun
& Sep: 10am–1pm, 2:30–7pm daily;
Via Santa Maria di Piona Jul–Aug: 10am–7pm daily; Oct–Nov &
1, Colico. Tel 0341-94 03 Mar: 10am–12:30pm, 2:30–5pm Sat &
31. Open 8:30am–noon, Sun; Dec–Feb: 2–5pm Sat & Sun. &
2–6pm daily. =
A promontory on 0 Varenna
the north-eastern Lecco. * 800. n Pro Loco (Aug only),
shore of the lake Via IV Novembre 3 (0341-83 03 67).
conceals this extra-
ordinary abbey built This splendid village of Roman
by Cluniac monks origin, with a perfectly intact
in the 11th century. medieval layout, was a haven
The exterior of for the inhabitants of Isola
Romanesque San Comacina when the citizens of
Palazzo Gallio, designed by architect Pellegrino Nicolao is adorned Como burned the island (1169).
Tibaldi in 1583 with small arches The 14th-century church of San
and pilasters. The bell Giorgio has an altarpiece by
7 Gravedona tower dates from 1700 and the Pietro Brentani (1467), while
cloister (1252–7) has sculpted Santa Marta houses the parish
Como. * 2,800. n Piazza Trieste capitals with fantastic figures. art gallery. Varenna is famous for
(0344-850 05); IAT, Piazza Cavour 17,
Como (031-26 97 12). There are 13th-century frescoes Villa Cipressi, with its terraced
here as well as in the apse. garden, and Villa Monastero,
A fortified town of some built over a Cistercian monastery.
importance in Roman times, All around the town were
Gravedona was destroyed by 9 Bellano quarries for the black Varenna
the people of Como in the 13th Lecco. * 3,400. n IAT, Via Nazario marble used in the Milan
century because it was allied Sauro 6, Lecco (0341-29 57 20). Duomo (see pp48–51). Since
with Milan. It later became 1921 Mandello del Lario has
capital of the small Tre Pievi In the middle ages Bellano housed the Moto Guzzi factory,
republic. The town then was the summer residence with a Motorcycle Museum.
declined and was ceded to of Milanese bishops and it
Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio, who has preserved its medieval P Villa Cipressi
in 1583 asked Tibaldi to build charac ter. Among houses Via IV Novembre 18. Tel 0341-83 01 13.
Palazzo Gallio. Grave dona is with wrought-iron coats of Open (garden) Mar–Oct: 9am– 6pm
known for the church of Santa arms is the church of Santi daily. Closed Nov–Feb. &
Maria del Tiglio (12th century). Nazaro, Celso e Giorgio, the P Villa Monastero
The aisled nave with tall galleries work of Campionese masters Via Polvani 2. Tel 0341-29 54 50. Open
houses a 12th-century wooden (14th century). Santa Marta Villa: Mar–July & Sep: 9:30am–7pm
crucifix, a floor mosaic dating houses a Pietà executed in Fri–Sun & hols; Aug: 9:30am–7pm
from the 6th century and 1518. However, the main daily. Garden: May–Oct: 9:30am–
various 12th–14th-century appeal of Bellano is the Orrido, 7pm daily (check website as times
frescoes. Santi Gusmeo e Matteo a deep gorge created by the may vary). Closed Nov–Feb. &
was frescoed by Fiammenghino, Pioverna torrent. ∑ villamonastero.eu
while Santa Maria delle Grazie
(1467) contains 16th-century
frescoes. Nearby Dongo is an
ancient village known for the
Falck steelworks, responsible for
building the metal parts of the
Italia and Norge airships. Above
Grave dona, at Peglio, is the
Sant’Eusebio complex, with fine
17th-century frescoes in the
church. The Spanish fort in
the outskirts was built in 1604
to guard the Adda river plain.
R Santa Maria del Tiglio
Piazza XI Febbraio. Tel 0344-852 61.
Open 8:30am–5pm winter
(till 7pm summer). The exterior of Villa Cipressi, overlooking Lake Como

146-147_EW_Milan.indd 146 20/10/16 3:55 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 1st October 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm