- Active & Green
- Mountains
The Castanun de Buncava
The monumental chestnut of Barni impresses with its regal stature: it is undoubtedly among the most beautiful specimens in Lombardy.
So beloved by the locals that it has earned its own name and has been enhanced with a specially built path to reach it, the Castanun de Buncava has towered reassuringly over the Barni mountains for three centuries now.
The tree is considered to be the most important green monument in the mountains of the 'Larian Triangle', a popular area for weekend getaways from the city. Situated at an altitude of 900 m in the Madonnina locality, the centuries-old chestnut tree is easily accessible within a couple of minutes' walk from the parking spot.
As soon as one descends into the small clearing that hosts it, one is astonished to see it: an immense trunk with a circumference of more than 7.5 metres (diameter 240 cm) supports a luxuriant foliage (a rare occurrence for such an old chestnut tree) that reaches well over 20 metres in height. It would take at least five people to be able to hug the tree. For anyone who loves nature, it is truly a unique thrill to arrive at the foot of this incredible plant monument. The surrounding area is also worth a visit: don't miss the beech and chestnut forests, the spectacular views towards the Lecco branch of the Lario lake and towards the Grigne, the very green Conca di Crezzo with its small lake and the shrine in memory of the air disaster of the Milan-Cologne flight (1987).
A green monument that is accessible to the public.
