Maggiana is an hamlet of Mandello del Lario, on Lake Como, whose historical structure of the village develops around the ancient medieval tower, known as the Tower of Federico Barbarossa, as it was the emperor’s residence.
The Barbarossa Tower has a square shape, it is high 40 fathoms and wide 10. In the walls we can find ogival windows alternated with slits. You can enter in the Tower by a large doo, once decorated with frescoes, leading into a courtyard from which you can go upstairs until the last floor.
Around 1800, the ownership of the Tower went to Francesco Alippi who, proud of the ownership of a historical monument, renovated it, decorating the top of a terrace.
Nowadays, the Barbarossa Tower is a museum, established by the local association “Gruppo Amici di Maggiana” (GAMAG), that you can visit only on reservation and during the medieval themed festival “La Torre in Festa”, with attendees in costume, taking place every year in June.
For further information, please visit www.museotorremaggiana.it.
From the top of the Tower of Barbarossa the view stretches from Mandello del Lario and Lake Como to Bellagio. The village of Maggiana is another village that you can visit in the area. The hamlet of Maggiana has an hand-carved washtub, where the housewifes can still today wash their clothes in the main tub.
Photo by Carlo Borlenghi, that we wish thank.
We suggest you an easy and beautiful itinerary, starting from Piani dei Resinelli and going on through Valentino Park up to Belvedere (i.e. panoramic viewpoint) of Coltignone Mount. This itinerary has a circular route, suitable for everyone, including families with children, and it can be walked in all seasons.
Reach Piani dei Resinelli and leave the car in the parking near the skyscraper (it is possible to visit the Ancient Resinelli Mines) and from there, in few minutes, you will reach the entrance of Valentino Park. Then, leave on your right Villa Gerosa – House Museum of Grigne and continue uphill in the woods along a large mule track, following the direction “Monte Coltignone”.
In a little while, you will reach the famous Belvedere, a large panoramic natural balcony: from this point you will enjoy a remarkable view over Lecco, Lake Como, Braintei Lakes and, during the clearer days, you can see Brianza and Milan.
The trail continues as a ring, overlooking the Lake, and it is possible to start appreciating the view of Resegone Mount and Due Mani Mount. Following the direction “Paradiso or Cima Calolden” you will admire the panorama over the South Grigna Mount and finally you will arrive at the entrance of Valentino Park.
The whole walking takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The Antonia Pozzi itinerary in Pasturo, in Valsassina, consists of 20 stages along the streets of the village, which lead up to the discovery of the work of the poet and the village she loved so much. Along the itinerary there are 20 permanent information plaques, with photos made by the poet herself, combined with verses of her poems or short passages of her diaries and letters.
It is possible to organize guided visits at Antonia Pozzi’s house: advance reservations and a minimum of 10 participants are required. Please, contact the Culture’s Council Member Moneta Andrea (mob. 340 5543290) or email info@comune.pasturo.lc.it
Antonia Pozzi came from a wealthy family, her father was an important lawyer in Milan and her mother a countess. She started writing her first poems during adolescence, and during the period of University of Milan she attended famous intellectual of the period.
Antonia loved writing, she had a diary and wrote lots of letters. She also planned to write an historical novel about Lombardy. Antonia also had other passions: such as photography, learning foreign languages and nature, she travelled around Italy and Europe.
Anyway, her favourite place remained her fabulous villa in Pasturo, at the foot of Grigna Mountain. Antonia loved writing and reading in the library. We can find references about Lake Como and its beautiful landscapes in her poems and verses.
Antonia was a sensitive and sweet person, unfortunately she psychologically suffered for some family’s restrictions and for the difficult historical and political moment, such as for the racial laws that caused the loss of some Antonia’s friends. Antonia killed herself only twenty-six, one night in December 1938.
She is buried in the cemetery of Pasturo: the funeral monument, a bronze Christ, is the work of the sculptor Giannino Castiglioni.
Source: Wikipedia and Valsassinacultura.it
The Bridge of Victory and the Moto Guzzi hydroelectric power plant are two intriguing points of interest near Cremeno, a small village of the Valsassina Plateau.
The Bridge of Victory
When the bridge was built it was certainly a gamble: it crosses the Pioverna torrent with an height of 96 meters, with a single arc of 200 meters. The structure is made of reinforced concrete, and it is a single parabolic arch 53.5 meter long, which, thanks to its slender pilasters sustain the bridge, with an original width of 5 meters and a length of 75 meters.
The structure has two cantilevered sidewalks on both sides, and there is an observation terrace in the centre of the bridge, where is also the monument to the Fallen.
The Bridge of Victory was constructed in 1924, projected by the engineer Danusso of Milan, and was built by the Terzi company. Later, it was then reinforced in 1984, widening the floor to have a 6 meter roadway but leaving intact its original architectural and stylistic features.
The Moto Guzzi hydroelectric power plant
After the Second World War, Moto Guzzi built in Valsassina a power plant to bring electricity to the factories of Mandello del Lario, exploiting the waters of Pioverna. Closed in the 1960s, it was largely dismantled, with the exception of a long cement line connecting Moggio, Cassina, Cremeno and Maggio. The line is visible along the route from the village of Maggio to the locality Tonalli di Sopra, Pra Marc and to the ancient road to Culmine of St. Peter.
In one of the valleys where the power plant’s torrents flowed there is the Cascina Cornella. The owner, Marialuisa, has rebuilt the history of the power plant and of the workers who worked there between 1947 and 1950: you can contact her for curiosity and anecdotes. For the area of Valsassina Plateau, the hydroelectric power plant represented a great opportunity for development and led to work in the difficult postwar period.
The hamlet of Mezzacca in Cassina Valsassina is a small village of the Valsassina Plateau and preserves the authentic atmosphere of the Lake Como mountains’ rural villages.
Deep in the nature and surrounded by green meadows, the hamlet of Mezzacca was once an important way of communication, that from Culmine of St. Peter connected the Valsassina to Val Taleggio and Valle Imagna.
You can reach Mezzacca, that is formed by few farm houses, from Cassina through a road starting behind the St. Giovanni Church. At the entrance of the village there is a shrine with frescoes dating back to the sixteenth or seventeenth century. Going further, you will find rustic buildings with ancient wooden loggias.
The name Mezzacca seems to come from “Mezza Aqua” (literally, “Half Water”), meaning a place between two valleys.
Photos by: Noemi Malugani.
The Municipality of Varenna joins “M’illumino di meno”, the festival of energy saving and sustainable lifestyles, scheduled for Friday 6 March 2020 and promoted by the radio broadcast Caterpillar of Rai Radio 2.
On this occasion, the Municipality, in collaboration with the “Luigi Scanagatta” Cultural Association, the Alpini Group and the Pro Loco of Varenna, organizes the fourth “Ecological Walk” to sensitize all citizens to the topic of energy saving.
The walk will take place with the use of headlamps: it will start from Piazza S. Giorgio at 20.30, proceed along via Roma and then, along the Sentiero del Viandante, will reach the Croce di Vezio.
In case of bad weather the event will be canceled.
St. Giorgio church is located in Mandello del Lario, built on a flatland overlooking the San Giorgio Rock, along the Sentiero del Viandante.
It has ancient origins: the church is probably an upper medieval foundation. St. Giorgio Church has always been considered as the church of Crebbio, now part of Abbadia Lariana, as such carried on for centuries the cemetery function.
It has a very essential architecture, similar to the other medieval temples of Lake Como. Particularly enchanting the interior for the rare cycle of frescoes, covering a large part of the walls, the triumphal arch and the bottom of the presbytery.
These frescoes dating in the years between 1475 and 1485.
Opening days and hours: every Sunday from 10:00 to 12.00.
For extraordinary visits call the ProLoco of Mandello del Lario.
Photos by Alberto Locatelli
Villa de Vecchi is an historic residence of 19th century , located in Cortenova , in Valsassina.
It is well visible from the provincial road across the valley , Villa De Vecchi is sunked in the green and surrounded by what one time was a large and well-kept park.
Villa De Vecchi , nicknamed Red House because of its original colour , still today in part visible , was wanted by one of the protagonists of the Italian Risorgimento.
The beautiful Villa had richly decorated interiors and luxurious and original furnishing ; the Count had a great passion for the East and he decorated the Villa with objects from over the world. The residence was built between 1854 and 1858 by the architect Alessandro Sidoli.
Later , in 1938 was abandoned by the heir of De Vecchi’s family , and in 1959 was finally purchased by the Medici of Marignano. In the early 1980s , the residence was discovered by some local entrepreneurs.
Meanwhile , the Villa has been looted by most of the furnishing and it was a victim of acts of vandalism. Precisely this state of neglect has created around Villa De Vecchi the air of mystery that has made it famous for the legends of ghosts and supernatural appearances.
Today the building is in a state of neglect , enclosures around the Villa has been arranged in order to protect the safety of the people , because now is precarious and condemned.
However , Villa De Vecchi , is famous , thanks to a well-known worldwide photo shoot website buzzfeed.com , as location for curious and photographer.
Photo by Antonio Fossati
Alcune immagini della serata che si è svolta lo scorso 4 luglio presso il comune di Crandola, nella quale sono state presentate le iniziative turistiche del progetto “E…STATE 2017 IN ALTA VALSASSINA”, una bella collaborazione che vede insieme i comuni di Casargo, Crandola, Margno e Taceno, con la nostra rete di imprese Montagne del Lago di Como.
Di seguito il Comunicato Stampa: “Nel municipio di Crandola, alla presenza di diversi amministratori, è stato presentato il programma di eventi per la promozione turistica ed il tempo libero per l’estate 2017. Una novità assoluta che coinvolge le amministrazioni dei Comuni dell’Alta Valsassina: Casargo, Crandola (comune capofila del progetto), Margno e Taceno.
In un momento di grande difficoltà finanziaria per i comuni- spiega l’assessore al Turismo di Crandola Giulio Giumelli- abbiamo voluto destinare delle risorse, circa 3600 euro, per una programmazione turistica in Alta Valsassina in collaborazione con la rete di imprese Montagne Lago di Como.
Si parte con un laboratorio di giochi per i bambini domenica 9 luglio presso il parchetto di Crandola ed uno spettacolo dei burattini a Vegno martedì 11 luglio alle 21.00, quattro serate di cinema all’aperto nei vari comuni, ( Lunedì 17 luglio Margno , Lunedì 24 Casargo, Lunedì 31 luglio Taceno e Martedì 22 agosto Crandola ) e tre eventi musicali.
All’ interno di questo progetto è stato previsto anche un doposcuola per tre settimane destinato ai bambini delle elementari presso la biblioteca comunale di Taceno per gli alunni di Taceno e all’ oratorio di Margno per i comuni di Crandola, Margno e Casargo. Un servizio importante rivolto ai residenti ed ai turisti.
Le amministrazioni comunali con questi eventi vogliono supportare il grande lavoro che svolgono sul territorio le ProLoco offrendo degli eventi culturali con l’obbiettivo- spiega Giulio Giumelli- di allungare la stagione turistica e garantire una offerta ampia e dedicata in particolar modo alle famiglie ed ai giovani.
Torniamo ad investire sul turismo- conclude l’assessore Giulio Giumelli- e lo facciamo insieme perchè riteniamo che solo con la collaborazione e la sinergia di tutti si riesca a raggiungere degli importanti risultati. Un punto di partenza per programmare e progettare un futuro turistico per l’Alta Valsassina. Consapevoli che il turismo costituisce una grande opportunità per lo sviluppo economico del nostro territorio e rappresenta un indiscusso volano per l’incremento della capacità attrattiva dell’economia dell’Alta Valsassina.
Nella stessa serata i sindaci di Crandola e Margno, Matteo Manzoni e Giuseppe Malugani ed il rappresentante del comune di Taceno, Francesca Denti, hanno presentato il progetto Living Land, una iniziativa svolta in collaborazione con l’Ufficio di Piano dell’Ambito di Bellano che permetterà a 4 adolescenti della zona di svolgere per due settimane interventi di riqualificazione e/o manutenzione di aree pubbliche. Un’ esperienza di crescita personale utile per la comunità che vedrà i ragazzi impegnati nei tre comuni le ultime due settimane di luglio.”
Qui sotto il volantino con gli eventi e le iniziative dell’estate, disponibile nei comuni, presso gli uffici turistici e gli esercizi commerciali dell’Alta Valsassina.
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