• Art & Culture
    • Villages

Walking tour through Menaggio

Historical itinerary along the main sites of the town

Where
Piazza Garibaldi, 3, 22017 Menaggio (Co)
Contacts
+ 39 0344 32924
Official site

 

Our itinerary starts in Piazza Garibaldi near the tourist information office.  This lovely walk through the town takes about 1 hour and will lead past the main sites of Menaggio. In case there are children walking with you, we suggest the amusing puzzle tour you can do together with this itinerary.

From Piazza Garibaldi pick up Via Calvi and half way up the street on the right you find the church S. Marta. On the facade you can see the Roman memorial plaque of Minicio Exorato, a notable of the empire; above it the town-arms. Inside the church there are some interesting paintings of the 17th century.

At the end of Via Calvi is the parish church of S. Stefano of very ancient origins whose original Roman structures have however been lost; even the orientation itself is in the opposite direction of its primitive setting. The church has three naves which, in 1899, were covered with frescoes by a local artist named Tagliaferri. Quite noteworthy is the one of the martyr Santo Stefano located in the vault of the apse. In the presbytery, two works by the painter Castelli from Menaggio. Above the altar of the Madonna, at the front of the left nave, you find a copy of a painting by Bernardino Luino depicting Maria with Jesus and an angel. The original work is now at the Louvre. The altar is surrounded by copper medallions representing scenes from the Madonna’s life. In the middle of the right nave there is a large painting of San Giorgio but the artist is unknown. The altar of “Il Sacro Cuore” is embellished with stuccoes of the 17th century by the “maestri intelvesi” (famous sculptors and craftsmen of the Val d’Intelvi who passed their experience from father to son and worked all over Europe).

When you come out of the church you turn right into Via Caronti, then at the end of the street turn right into Via Leoni. After 30 m turn left into Via Castellino da Castello. This street leads to the upper part of town where the castle once stood. On the way you pass some beautiful portals. On the corner with Via Strecioum stands the native house of P. Gabriel Malagrida, a Jesuit who was martired in Lisbon in 1761 under the despotic regime of Pombal.

The “Castello” of today gives only a faint idea of how it was in the middle ages. It was in fact completely destroyed in 1523 by the Signori delle Leghe Grigie (Graubundener). Left intact are parts of its enormous perimeter walls which you can admire at various points. The houses in the upper part of Via Castellino da Castello follow the original contours of the castle. On the facade of house number 54 there are two medieval sculptures from the XI century, a winged feline and a bust. Above the ruins of the ancient castle you find the church S. Carlo which was built in 1614. The church has a characteristic Spanish style bell tower a reminder of the period of Spanish domination in the 15-16th century. The bell tower can be seen from the centre of town.

When you reach the end of Via Castellino da Castello you continue to the left and follow Via N. Sauro. After only 20 m you pick up the street, just before a small parking lot, that runs right below the walls of the castle. Just past another small car park, you pick up Via Fabbri. At the beginning of the street, on the left, on the top of a gate, there is a sculpture of the 12th century representing the head of the bull of San Luca. Then a bit further down on the left there is a fountain called “Del Salvatore”. Above it there is a bust in relief of the 12th century which has unfortunately been damaged by time.

At the end of Via Fabbri you end up again in Via Castellino da Castello which you follow down to the right for ca. 10 m and then you pick up Via Strecioum to the left. At the end of the street continue a few meters and you come to one of the most picturesque bridges over the river Sanagra. In the middle of the bridge you can admire a relief by Vannunccini   (1965) , and on the right the chapel dedicated to the Madonna di Caravaggio.

Turn back and then left into Via per Loveno and left again into Via Leoni which you follow to the end. Cross Via Lusardi, passing in front of the little church San Rocco, built in 1772, and pick up Via Roma which leads along the entrance of the Lido of Menaggio built in 1934 with its  beach and swimming pool.

The walk continues along Lungo Lago Benedetto Castelli. Here you find the sculpture by Francesco Somaini, dedicated to the women silk weavers, donated to the town of Menaggio by the Mantero family, owners of several silk mills. It is made of Carrara Marble and represents a hymn to the weaving culture of Como, in which work, art and management ability are melted and mixed, following the centuries old tradition which has made Como one of the silk capitals of the world. You continue your way on the lovely lake side promenade where you can enjoy the beauty of the landscape which has made the fortune of the area. You pass the Grand Hotel Victoria built in 1885 and then you’ll find yourself back in Piazza Garibaldi.

Print out the itinerary

 


Other links

Itinerario Storico di Menaggio
Take me here: Walking tour through Menaggio

Places

Church of S. Marta

  • Art & Culture
Church of S. Marta
30 mt

Il Rogolone

The big oak tree
Il Rogolone
178 mt

Monument to the silk weaver

  • Art & Culture
Monumento alla Tessitrice
178 mt

Itinerario a quiz per Menaggio

  • Art & Culture
medieval sculpture
178 mt

Villa mylius vigoni

Rich of suggestions, memories and ancient trees, the park of Villa Vigoni is one of the best preserved romantic gardens in Lombardy
  • Art & Culture
Villa Mylius Vigoni
178 mt

Parish church of S. Stefano

  • Art & Culture
S. Stefano
222 mt

By bike from Menaggio to Porlezza

  • Cycle Tourism
The cycle track Menaggio - Porlezza
343 mt

Centre and lakeside of Menaggio

  • Villages
Centre and lakeside of Menaggio
347 mt

La Crocetta

The trenches of the Linea Cadorna
  • Art & Culture
View from the Crocetta
1.09 km

The Val Sanagra Park

A beautiful territory close to Menaggio
  • Active & Green
Val Sanagra Park - Mulino Carliseppi
1.47 km

L'Antica Strada Regina

On foot from Menaggio to Rezzonico along the ancient pilgrim route
  • Active & Green
Castello di Rezzonico
1.5 km

Menaggio e Cadenabbia Golf Club

  • Golf
Menaggio Cadenabbia Golf Club, Grandola e Uniti (CO)
2.02 km

Church of San Giorgio

  • Art & Culture
Chiesa di San Giorgio Varenna
3.6 km

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
3.62 km

Lido of Lake Como

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

Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie

  • Art & Culture
Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie
3.64 km

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.
  • Art & Culture
Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista Varenna
3.64 km

Ornithology and Natural Science Civic Museum "Luigi Scanagatta"

Ornithology and Natural Science Civic Museum "Luigi Scanagatta"
3.7 km

Villa Cipressi

  • Parks
Villa Cipressi Varenna
3.72 km

Villa Carlotta

Villa Carlotta, located on the shores of Lake Como near the village of Tremezzo, is a triumph of natural and architectural beauty.
  • Art & Culture
Villa Carlotta
3.8 km

Activities

E-bike Tour with Lunch in Valsolda, Lake Lugano

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

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

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

E-bike Tour of Three Lakes and Idyllic Mountain Life

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

E-bike Classic Lake Como Villages with a Local Touch

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

Villas and Flavors of Lake Como

  • Lakes
Villas and Flavors of Lake Como
3.48 km

Cruise & Dinner from Varenna

  • Lakes
Cruise & Dinner from Varenna
3.54 km

Bellagio Travel Guide: the complete guide

  • Lifestyle
Bellagio Travel Guide: the complete guide
3.98 km

Bellagio, the pearl of lake Como

  • Villages
Bellagio, the pearl of lake Como
4.17 km

Let's taste Como Lake

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

Paragling Tandem on Lake Como with Flylibell

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

Cook with us - Lake Como

  • Food & Wine
Cook with us - Lake Como
13.5 km

Where to sleep

C.A.V. SUITES MENAGGIO - LA FABBRICA DEL GELATO S.R.L.S.

Menaggio
C.A.V. SUITES MENAGGIO - LA FABBRICA DEL GELATO S.R.L.S.
29 mt

LA DEPENDANCE - FORESTERIA LOMBARDA

Menaggio
LA DEPENDANCE - FORESTERIA LOMBARDA
31 mt

DU LAC

Menaggio
DU LAC
64 mt

HOTEL GARNI CORONA

Menaggio
HOTEL GARNI CORONA
71 mt

IL VAPORE

Menaggio
IL VAPORE
83 mt

MENAGGIO CENTRO DI VITTORIA SOLANO

Menaggio
MENAGGIO CENTRO DI VITTORIA SOLANO
108 mt

VISTA MENAGGIO CENTRO DI SOLANO VITTORIA

Menaggio
VISTA MENAGGIO CENTRO DI SOLANO VITTORIA
108 mt

APPARTAMENTO IVANA DI IVANA CIAMPOLI

Menaggio
APPARTAMENTO IVANA  DI IVANA CIAMPOLI
108 mt

MENAGGIO CENTRALE DI GASPERIN EMILIA

Menaggio
MENAGGIO CENTRALE DI GASPERIN EMILIA
109 mt

CASA JULIA DI ALTAN BALABANER HULYA

Menaggio
CASA JULIA DI ALTAN BALABANER HULYA
109 mt

VILLA CASTELLI DI BROWN JAMES DARIN

Menaggio
VILLA CASTELLI DI BROWN JAMES DARIN
109 mt

GRAND HOTEL VICTORIA

Menaggio
GRAND HOTEL VICTORIA
180 mt

CASA MARIA MENAGGIO DI HELLENER JAN THOMAS

Menaggio
CASA MARIA MENAGGIO DI HELLENER JAN THOMAS
210 mt

BELLA MENAGGIO PANORAMICA DI ALSHAIJI ABUDULLA A M E

Menaggio
BELLA MENAGGIO PANORAMICA DI ALSHAIJI ABUDULLA A M E
213 mt

B & B A CASA DI ANNA DI DELL'ORTO ANNA

Menaggio
B & B  A CASA DI ANNA DI DELL'ORTO ANNA
226 mt

MENAGGIO MARINA DI COCO ANGELO

Menaggio
MENAGGIO MARINA DI COCO ANGELO
227 mt

MENAGGIO FRONTE LAGO DI VERMEER WILLEM JAN

Menaggio
MENAGGIO FRONTE LAGO DI VERMEER WILLEM JAN
227 mt

MENAGGIO TOSCA 2 DI DE AGOSTINI BARBARA LUCIA

Menaggio
MENAGGIO TOSCA 2 DI DE AGOSTINI BARBARA LUCIA
227 mt

MENAGGIO TOSCA 1 DI DE AGOSTINI ANTONIO MARCO

Menaggio
MENAGGIO TOSCA 1 DI DE AGOSTINI ANTONIO MARCO
227 mt

BELLAVISTA

Menaggio
BELLAVISTA
227 mt