The Northern area of Lake Como will amaze you!

Discover what to see in Colico, the pearl of Lake Lecco.

A popular legend recounts that the Pontassio sanctuary was founded by a Lombard warrior by the name of Asso who went to the Oltrepò forests to hunt during the siege of Pavia. He got lost in the dense brush and swore to build a chapel if only he could find his way out. At that moment a lady showed him the way and saved his life.

Visit Gravedona ed Uniti, a cozy town in North Lake Como

The small red Torre dei Visconti is one of the symbols of Palestro, located on a small side road off Via Vodano and the last vestige of the town's 12th century castle. Palestro is also famous as the site of the first important offensive of the Second Independence War, the victorious battle of 30th and 31st May 1859 in which Savoy troops reconquered the Lomellina area after its occupation by the Austrians. In 1006 the building for the church was dedicated to St. Martin of Tours (5) which was enlarged in the sixteenth century. Under the direction of architect Locarni during the eighteenth century, the actual church was transformed into the gothic- lombard style facade. The Pastor and the owners of B&B Ospitaliere La Torre Merlata  have the stamp for pilgrims on the Via Francigena.

The important history of San Zenone al Po is linked to its location on the confluence of the Olona and Po rivers. From the Middle Ages onwards armies and river fleets passed through the site and many battles took place. Eminent personalities from this land of rivers include Gianni Brera, sport journalist and writer, in whose writings San Zenone and the Po river often make an appearance and are linked to his childhood stories.

Spessa is a country town on the left bank of the Po river with houses and farms scattered in networks across the countryside and a village square which is the centre of village life. It is believed that the name of the village derives from the abundant (spessi) harvests obtained in the wake of flood plain land reclamation of once marshy lands.

In Corteolona King Liutprand (712-744) had a magnificent residence built and decorated with marbles, columns and precious mosaics which he brought in specially from Rome. The palace was located on the site of the current Castellaro farmhouse. Even after the fall of the Lombard kingdom the Carolingian kings and the Regnum Italiae continued to use Corteolona palace.

Santa Cristina was mentioned in the oldest traveller's tales mentioning the Via Francigena, Sigeric's 10th century journey. Its spiritual and logistical significance was due to the presence of an important monastery on the site (Via Dante) of which its medieval plan and seventeenth century additions have survived. Four columns with 8th century capitals inside a Gothic mullion window whose original position was the Corteolona royal palace are still extant.

In terms of location and environmental characteristics Casteggio's are some of the most beautiful views in the area like the panorama from Certosa Cantù, a splendid eighteenth century residence which now hosts the collections of the Civic Archaeology Museum and the Civic Library with its multimedia space. Another splendid view is to be had from the small village of Mairano with its nineteenth century Villa Marina whose guests have included Giuseppe Mazzini. The dome of Pavia cathedral and the Alps are visible on a clear day from its verdant vineyards.  

Brallo di Pregola is in the heart of the Apennines on the border between the provinces of Piacenza, Genoa and Alessandria and it is precisely for this reason that the area can be called the 'land of four provinces', a place in which different traditions, cultures and dialects meet. Standing in a panoramic position above the town, the church of Sant’Agata is now merely a ruined perimeter. This dependency of the monastery of San Colombano di Bobbio is definitely reported only in the ninth century, but the archaeological relics found here show that it has an even older history, which dates at least from the seventh century, the era of San Colombano and the Longobard kings.

In the town of Castello d’Agogna stands the ancient castle of medieval origin that in its long history has seen numerous owners: from the abbey of Santa Croce in Mortara, to rich land-owning families like the Crotti and the Isimbardi, and even the German troops who briefly occupied it in December 1944.