The surface of the lake is 146 sq km, with a perimeter development of 170 km. and an altitude above sea level of 198 meters. In the north it receives the waters of the Adda river, which exits in Lecco and after a long course flows into the Po. The Lario divides in the South into the branches of Como and Lecco, which flow into the tip of Bellagio, then narrows gradually towards North, in the only branch of Colico, assuming the characteristic shape of an inverted ipsilon which makes it readily identifiable on each geographical map. From Como to Gera Lario, where it ends, its length is 50 km.

In the Como branch, in front of Sala Comacina, there is the only island on the lake, Isola Comacina, with important Roman finds, an oasis of peace for artists and nature lovers, connected to the mainland by a boat service.

Climatic locations of excellence, its shores are dotted with small towns where imposing villas of refined architecture of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries arise, surrounded by magnificent parks, some of which, open to visitors, have been a favorite destination for tourists of all time since the past, especially foreigners: in Bellagio Villa Serbelloni and Villa Melzi, in the hamlet Loppia Villa Trivulzio; in Varenna Villa Monastero; in Tremezzo Villa Carlotta; in Lenno Villa Balbianello; in Menaggio Villa Mylius Vigoni.

The waters of Lake Como are extremely changeable, from calm and motionless they can suddenly agitate becoming dark and dangerous due to the winds blowing in the different areas and are responsible for the good or bad weather that is. Tivano, Breva, Menaggino, Bellanasco, winds from the central northern area of Lario, as well as giving the name to exercises, publications, gatherings, if identified by the direction and time in which they expire, make many inhabitants of the area reliable weather forecasts short term.

L'articolo Lake of Como proviene da HOTEL MERIDIANA.

Da visitare:
– the Romanesque basilica of San Giacomo
– the church of San Giovanni
– Villa Serbelloni, headquarters of the Rockefeller Foundation
– the park of Villa Melzi, full of exotic plants
– the gardens of Villa Trivulzio with the large mausoleum Poldi Pezzoli.

From Punta Spartivento the most northerly of the magnificent peninsula overlooking the three branches of the lake, Lecco, Como and Colico.

L'articolo Bellagio proviene da HOTEL MERIDIANA.

The fourteenth-fifteenth-century city held a prominent position in the Lario as evidenced by the remains of ancient walls, the Praetorium and the old parish church near Pioverna, in addition to the documented establishment of an early grammar school. From 1533 it passed to the Sfondrati family together with many other nearby fiefdoms.

What to visit

The Parish Church dedicated to Saints Nazzaro and Celso, in typical Lombard-Gothic style, with an elegant facade partly covered with two-colored marbles, on which stands a terracotta rose window with delicate lace placed above a shrine containing a marble bas-relief with the effigy of Sant’Ambrogio. Built in the 14th century by the Comacini Magisteri, today it has become a national monument.

The Church of Santa Marta, in front of the Parish Church with entrance from the homonymous square, which houses a remarkable wooden Deposition composed of nine statues attributed to the sculptor Giovanni Angelo Del Maino, who worked between 1496 and 1536.

The Church of Saints Rocco and Sebastiano.

An inscription shows the date of 1496 as regards the construction and we know that it was consecrated in 1502. Of not high artistic value it is a place dear to the Bellanese for its function as a Shrine for the Fallen. Inside there are two valuable paintings by the contemporary and appreciated painter. Giancarlo Vitali from Bellano.

The Church of San Nicolao, an ancient place of worship, now deconsecrated, owned by the Municipal Administration, is used for cultural or artistic events.

In Lezzeno, a hamlet of Bellano, the homonymous Sanctuary, built between 1690 and 1704 to preserve the plaster image of a Madonna of Sorrows who in 1688 began to shed tears of blood. Inside, the many ex-votos testify to faith and deep worship.

What to see

The Orrido, a deep canyon produced over the centuries by the tumultuous course of the Pioverna which flows into the abyss with unspeakable thunder. A concrete walkway allows you to admire this terrible and extraordinary spectacle of nature in complete safety.

L'articolo Bellano proviene da HOTEL MERIDIANA.

In a suggestive position, overlooking the characteristic lake of the same name, there is the Abbey of Piona, which preserves remains dating back to the 11th century and a significant Romanesque church with cloister, one of the best known tourist destinations in the Province of Lecco.

The landscape, as well as the mouths of the Adda and Mera rivers, is characterized by the imposing mass of Monte Legnone and the peaceful reliefs of the Montecchi, hills of morainic origin where hundreds of migratory birds find refuge from the nearby Oasis of Pian di Spagna.

Currently Colico is home to an important industrial center, and enjoys a significant development of tourism-related activities.

L'articolo Colico proviene da HOTEL MERIDIANA.

Da visitare:
– the Duomo, a jewel of Comacina art in Gothic-Renaissance style;
– the 13th century Broletto with the facade covered with bichrome strips of light and dark marble;
– the Church of San Fedele in a small square which preserves the imprint of the past in the houses that delimit it;
– the Voltiano Temple which preserves memorabilia linked to the life and activity of Alessandro Volta, the inventor of the battery.

L'articolo Como proviene da HOTEL MERIDIANA.

To visit:
– Palazzo Gallio, castle and villa, surrounded by a beautiful park, although not very large, built at the beginning of the sixteenth century for Count Ptolemy Gallio. Today, completely renovated, it is the seat and property of the Alto Lario Community, which hosts the Pianomaster Festival every summer, with symphonic concerts and symphonic orchestras of great appeal.
– Santa Maria del Tiglio with the Baptistery, built in 1100, and the basilica of San Vincenzo, even older, rebuilt in the same period and later in the seventeenth century.

L'articolo Gravedona proviene da HOTEL MERIDIANA.

Da vedere:
– the interesting Azzone Visconti bridge built on the Adda in 1336;
– Villa Manzoni, which belonged to the novelist’s family who spent his youth here;
– the 16th century Visconti Tower.

L'articolo Lecco proviene da HOTEL MERIDIANA.

Its panoramic position, the mild climate, the splendid lakefront with well-kept flower beds and ancient trees attract a large number of tourists, who love to stroll in the historic center and stop in the central square, bordered by shops and cafes, where city life pulsates. The facades of some medieval houses still bear the remains of ancient decorations.

To visit:
– The Sanctuary of the Madonna della Pace in the Nobiallo hamlet.
– The Church of Santo Stefano.
– The Castel.
– Villa Mylius Vigoni, from the names of the owners.
– Villa Mylius Vigoni, rich in works of art and surrounded by a vast park was inherited by the last owner to the Federal Republic of Germany in 1983 and today constitutes a cultural meeting point between Italy and Germany.
– Above Menaggio, a golf course of extraordinary beauty for those who practice this sport.
– From Griante to Cadenabbia the Riviera of the Azaleas stretches and gardening enthusiasts and nature lovers visit, especially in the spring, in Tremezzo Villa Carlotta to admire the tall hedges blooming in all their luxuriant splendor.
– Another favorite destination for tourists is Villa Balbianello built at the end of the eighteenth century by Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini as a place of delights and now owned by the FAI.

L'articolo Menaggio proviene da HOTEL MERIDIANA.

There are many art and costume exhibitions periodically set up, many fairs, which make Milan a center of attraction for art and culture enthusiasts.

Milan is also one of the major European economic centers and is the capital of Italian fashion.

To those who wish to shop for designer objects, refined items, high fashion and pret-a-porter items, Via Montenapoleone and the parallel Via Spiga, with the adjacent ones, make up the most popular and elegant area in Milan.

L'articolo Milano proviene da HOTEL MERIDIANA.

What to visit:
– the Parish Church of San Giorgio
– Villa Monastero, a former Benedictine convent, now home to international physics conferences
– Villa Isimbardi or, more commonly, “Villa Cipressi” with long rows of cypresses sloping down towards the lake, both belonging to the Provincial Administration.

In the hamlet Vezio we recommend a visit to the Castle.

L'articolo Varenna proviene da HOTEL MERIDIANA.