• Art & Culture

Church of San Giovanni Battista

Discover the oldest church in Varenna, one of the first built on Lake Como when Christianity was beginning to spread.

Where
Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista
Piazza San Giorgio, 23829, Varenna (LC)
Contacts
+39 0341 830228
Official site

San Giovanni Battista (St. John the Baptist) is one of the oldest churches on Lake Como and the first church built in Varenna. Built probably before the year 1000 where an older Paleochristian building was located, its current structure is from 1151, when it was expanded.

The restoration work carried out in the 1960s brought to light the Romanic nucleus with one nave and a small apse that were hidden beneath the 17th century transformations. The original timber roof trusses were also re-discovered. An arcosolium was also found at the bottom of the façade, used as a place of entombement.

The church, built of rough grey stone without any decoration on the outside, houses important frescoes on the inside. The side walls are decorated with excellent, but poorly-preserved 14th century frescoes; the Adoration of the Three Wise Men is portrayed on the left wall and St. John the Baptist, other Saints and St. George killing the Dragon on the right. The frescoes in the apse date back to the beginning of the 16th century; the portrayal of the Redeemer between the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist, framed by a grotesque motif with the Serponti's family coat of arms is in the basin. Episodes of the Visitation and the Baptism of Christ (painted by the same artist as the others) are portrayed on the left-hand wall.

The Romanic bell tower is built in the direction of the lake, as was the habit in that time. The bells are from 1730, donated by the noble Serponti family.

 


Opening hours

Open every day from 9 am to 7 pm.

Take me here: Church of San Giovanni Battista

Places

Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie

  • Art & Culture
Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie
1 mt

The Magnolia of Villa Monastero

In an enchanting location, rich in artistic and natural wonders, a spectacular magnolia tree caresses the waters of the lake.
  • Lakes
The Magnolia of Villa Monastero
22 mt

Varenna

The fishermen's village newly popular as a picture postcard destination, with itineraries of art and nature
  • Villages
Ph: I Mille
35 mt

Church of San Giorgio

  • Art & Culture
Chiesa di San Giorgio Varenna
44 mt

Village of Varenna

The Village of Varenna is divided into a grid of streets that steeply slope down towards Lake Como.
  • Villages
Village of Varenna
51 mt

Ornithology and Natural Science Civic Museum "Luigi Scanagatta"

Ornithology and Natural Science Civic Museum "Luigi Scanagatta"
63 mt

Villa Cipressi

  • Parks
Villa Cipressi Varenna
78 mt

Villa Monastero

Villa Monastero is one of Varenna’s best-known landmarks. It's now a museum showcasing a collection of items left by its owners
  • Art & Culture
Villa Monastero, Varenna
170 mt

Vezio Castle

Ancient medieval fortress overlooking Varenna, surrounded by a centuries-old olive grove, with a breathtaking view over Lake Como.
  • Art & Culture
Castello di Vezio Varenna
256 mt

Fiumelatte

In Varenna, discover the shortest river of Italy and visit its source surrounded by nature.
  • Active & Green
Fiumelatte Varenna
1.82 km

Villa serbelloni

In the village of Bellagio, "the pearl of Lake Como", is home to one of the most evocative historical residences of the Lario
  • Art & Culture
Villa serbelloni
2.92 km

The Michoacan Pine at Villa Melzi

  • Active & Green
The Michoacan Pine at Villa Melzi
3.19 km

The Liriodendrons of Villa Melzi

  • Active & Green
The Liriodendrons of Villa Melzi
3.19 km

Lido of Lake Como

Relax and comfort on Lake Como during the summer
  • Lakes
lettino lido lago como
3.52 km

Walking tour through Menaggio

Historical itinerary along the main sites of the town
  • Art & Culture
Piazza Garibaldi
3.64 km

Church of S. Marta

  • Art & Culture
Church of S. Marta
3.66 km

Centre and lakeside of Menaggio

  • Villages
Centre and lakeside of Menaggio
3.69 km

Il Rogolone

The big oak tree
Il Rogolone
3.7 km

Monument to the silk weaver

  • Art & Culture
Monumento alla Tessitrice
3.7 km

Itinerario a quiz per Menaggio

  • Art & Culture
medieval sculpture
3.7 km

Events

Botanica dei sentimenti. Erbari, ritratti e immagini del lago nell'età di Manzoni

Villa Monastero
Viale Polvani, 23829, Varenna, LC.
20/09/2024 - 30/11/2024
  • Art & Culture
Botanica dei sentimenti. Erbari, ritratti e immagini del lago nell'età di Manzoni
375 mt

La donna nelle opere di Giacomo Puccini

chiesa di San Martino
23/11/2024
  • Music and show
La donna nelle opere di Giacomo Puccini
1.07 km

Taiko: il grande tamburo giapponese

Sala Civica
Via Marinai d'Italia, 23822, Bellano, LC
10/12/2024
  • Art & Culture
Taiko: il grande tamburo giapponese
3.67 km

Tesori nascosti. Viaggio allascoperta dell'art dalla muggiasca al lago

Sala Civica
Via Marinai d'Italia, 23822, Lecco
14/01/2025
  • Art & Culture
Tesori nascosti. Viaggio allascoperta dell'art dalla muggiasca al lago
3.67 km

L'albero universo di vita: i rapporti tra alberi e insetti

Sala Civica
Via Marinai d'Italia, 23822, Lecco
11/02/2025
  • Art & Culture
L'albero universo di vita: i rapporti tra alberi e insetti
3.67 km

Medicina di genere: differenze uomo/donna in salute e malattia

Sala Civica
Via Marinai d'Italia, 23822, Lecco
11/03/2025
  • Art & Culture
Medicina di genere: differenze uomo/donna in salute e malattia
3.67 km

Nuova urbanistica,Odonomastica e toponomastica,curiosità e storie

Sala Civica
Via Marinai d'Italia, 23822, Lecco
08/04/2025
  • Art & Culture
Nuova urbanistica,Odonomastica e toponomastica,curiosità e storie
3.67 km

Platone, fedro.Amore e scrittura,conoscenza e memoria

Sala Civica
Via Marinai d'Italia, 23822, Lecco
13/05/2025
  • Art & Culture
Platone, fedro.Amore e scrittura,conoscenza e memoria
3.67 km

Il bello dell'Orrido con Tommaso Sacchi

Cinema di Bellano
Via Roma, 3, 23822, Bellano (LC)
30/11/2024
  • Art & Culture
Il bello dell'Orrido con Tommaso Sacchi
3.96 km

Tilt-esaurimento totale

Via Roma, 3, 23822, Lecco
24/01/2025
  • Art & Culture
Tilt-esaurimento totale
3.96 km

Ma chi mi credo di essere

Via Roma, 3, 23822, Lecco
21/02/2025
  • Art & Culture
Ma chi mi credo di essere
3.96 km

Tutto quello che le donne (non) dicono

Cinema di Bellano
Via Roma, 3, 23822, Lecco
24/04/2025
  • Art & Culture
Tutto quello che le donne (non) dicono
3.96 km

Bellano'g got talent 11^ edizione

Teatro Casa del Popolo
22/12/2024 - 23/12/2024
  • Lifestyle
Bellano'g got talent 11^ edizione
3.98 km

Pesa vegia 2024 - Il gran finale

per le vie del paese
13/01/2025
  • Lifestyle
Pesa vegia 2024 - Il gran finale
3.98 km

Bellano tra arte e fede

Ritrovo alla Chiesa dei Santi Nazario e Celso
Piazza San Giorgio, 5
30/11/2024
  • Art & Culture
Bellano tra arte e fede
4 km

I panni sporchi si lavano in famiglia

Cineteatro Paradise
Via Don Invernizzi, 23824, Lecco
29/11/2024
  • Art & Culture
I panni sporchi si lavano in famiglia
7.6 km

Aspettando il natale

Piazzetta Diaz
01/12/2024
  • Lifestyle
Aspettando il natale
7.63 km

Un presepi per ogni purtun- 19^ edizione

08/12/2024 - 06/01/2025
  • Lifestyle
Un presepi per ogni purtun- 19^ edizione
7.63 km

Una goccia per la vita

Cinema Teatro Fabrizio De André
Via Leonardo Da Vinci
23/11/2024
  • Music and show
Una goccia per la vita
8.26 km

Eliott la piccola renna

Teatro comunale F. de Andrè
Via Leonardo Da Vinci
01/12/2024
  • Art & Culture
Eliott la piccola renna
8.26 km

Activities

Cruise & Dinner from Varenna

  • Lakes
Cruise & Dinner from Varenna
184 mt

Villas and Flavors of Lake Como

  • Lakes
Villas and Flavors of Lake Como
466 mt

VARENNA AND ITS HAMLETS and olive oil tasting

  • Villages
VARENNA AND ITS HAMLETS and olive oil tasting
616 mt

Let's taste Como Lake

  • Active & Green
Let's taste Como Lake
2.31 km

Bellagio Travel Guide: the complete guide

  • Lifestyle
Bellagio Travel Guide: the complete guide
3.03 km

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ON THE LAKE

  • Lifestyle
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ON THE LAKE
3.05 km

WEDDING PROPOSAL

  • Wedding
WEDDING PROPOSAL
3.05 km

POLAROID ON LAKE COMO

  • Lifestyle
POLAROID ON LAKE COMO
3.05 km

PHOTOGRAPHS AT SUNRISE OR SUNSET ON LAKE COMO

  • Lifestyle
PHOTOGRAPHS AT SUNRISE OR SUNSET ON LAKE COMO
3.05 km

PHOTO SHOOT IN THE LAKE VILLAS EXPERIENCE

  • Lifestyle
PHOTO SHOOT IN THE LAKE VILLAS EXPERIENCE
3.05 km

Photographic experiences with Giulia Caminada

  • Lifestyle
Photographic experiences with Giulia Caminada
3.05 km

Bellagio, the pearl of lake Como

  • Villages
Bellagio, the pearl of lake Como
3.24 km

VILLA MELZI'S GARDEN - GROUP TICKET (minimun 15 people)

  • Art & Culture
VILLA MELZI'S GARDEN - GROUP TICKET (minimun 15 people)
4.16 km

2 DAYS PASS FOR VILLA MELZI'S GARDEN

  • Art & Culture
2 DAYS PASS FOR VILLA MELZI'S GARDEN
4.16 km

VILLA MELZI'S GARDEN - SCHOOL GROUP TICKET

  • Art & Culture
VILLA MELZI'S GARDEN - SCHOOL GROUP TICKET
4.16 km

E-bike Tour with Lunch in Valsolda, Lake Lugano

  • Active & Green
E-bike Tour with Lunch in Valsolda, Lake Lugano
5.69 km

Tour Menaggio's Most Magical Lake Views in E-bike

  • Active & Green
Tour Menaggio's Most Magical Lake Views in E-bike
5.69 km

E-bike Tour of Three Lakes and Idyllic Mountain Life

  • Active & Green
E-bike Tour of Three Lakes and Idyllic Mountain Life
5.69 km

E-bike Classic Lake Como Villages with a Local Touch

  • Active & Green
E-bike Classic Lake Como Villages with a Local Touch
5.69 km

Paragling Tandem on Lake Como with Flylibell

  • Active & Green
Paragling Tandem on Lake Como with Flylibell
6.67 km

Where to sleep

CAV CASA FERRARI - VARENNA HOLIDAYS

VARENNA
CAV CASA FERRARI - VARENNA HOLIDAYS
6 mt

B&B LA GONDOLA LARIANA

Varenna
B&B LA GONDOLA LARIANA
24 mt

ROYAL VICTORIA

Varenna
ROYAL VICTORIA
28 mt

CAV DAISY HOME - VARENNA HOLIDAYS

VARENNA
CAV DAISY HOME -  VARENNA HOLIDAYS
28 mt

CAV MIRANDA'S HOME - VARENNA HOLIDAYS

VARENNA
CAV MIRANDA'S HOME - VARENNA HOLIDAYS
28 mt

CAV CASA SAN GIORGIO di Fulvia Melesi

Varenna
CAV CASA SAN GIORGIO di Fulvia Melesi
28 mt

B&B VILLA ELENA

Varenna
B&B VILLA ELENA
28 mt

CAV VILLA BIANCA LIERNA - VARENNA HOLIDAYS

VARENNA
CAV VILLA BIANCA LIERNA - VARENNA HOLIDAYS
35 mt

CAV THE SECRET GARDEN - VARENNA HOLIDAYS

VARENNA
CAV THE SECRET GARDEN - VARENNA HOLIDAYS
37 mt

CAV CASA GARDEN di Orizzonti di Varenna SAS di Giorgio Lanfranconi & C

Varenna
CAV CASA GARDEN di Orizzonti di Varenna SAS di Giorgio Lanfranconi & C
38 mt

DEL SOLE

Varenna
DEL SOLE
39 mt

CAV TINY DUKE APARTMENT - VARENNA HOLIDAYS

VARENNA
CAV TINY DUKE APARTMENT - VARENNA HOLIDAYS
44 mt

LT VILLA TORRETTA di Laura Colombo

VARENNA
LT VILLA TORRETTA di Laura Colombo
49 mt

cav LARA'S HOME di Danilo Gianola

Varenna
cav LARA'S HOME di Danilo Gianola
51 mt

VILLA MAPELLI - BP Best Places

Varenna
VILLA MAPELLI - BP Best Places
53 mt

cav PETIT BIJOU di Deborah Chiappa

Varenna
cav PETIT BIJOU di Deborah Chiappa
55 mt

CAV CASA STELLA -VARENNA HOLIDAYS

VARENNA
CAV CASA STELLA -VARENNA HOLIDAYS
56 mt

B&B Michelangelo

Varenna
B&B Michelangelo
56 mt

LT ATELIER DELL'ARTISTA di Gabrio Vignoli Mucchi

VARENNA
LT ATELIER DELL'ARTISTA di Gabrio Vignoli Mucchi
57 mt

CAV CASA BAMBINA - VARENNA HOLIDAYS

VARENNA
CAV CASA BAMBINA - VARENNA HOLIDAYS
63 mt