Lake Lecco and Varenna
« THAT branch of the lake of Como, which extends towards the south, is enclosed by two unbroken chains of mountains, which, as they advance and recede, diversify its shores with numerous bays and inlets. Suddenly the lake contracts itself, and takes the course and form of a river, between a promontory on the right, and a wide open shore on the opposite side;… » [Promessi Sposi; Alessandro Manzoni]
Lake Lecco, that is known for the Manzoni novel, is the eastern branch of Lake Como and it is just 25 minutes away, by car, from the Farm House Polisena. The basin is called Lake Lario, name given from the Romans that were calling it “Larios Lacus Comancinus“, or also “garden Lake”, for the beauty of his villas surrounded by wonderful parks and gardens. Not to be missed Villa Gomes with his park, the largest one of the city (almost 37.000 mq).
Lecco
In the city of Lecco, looking mainly of ‘800, you can see, through a historical- literary – tourist itinerary, some places that have been inspiring for the big Italian poet and for his most important work: the convent of Pescarenico or the bridge Azzone Visconti, the alleged Lucia Mondella’s house in the neighbourhood of Olate, the tabernacle of Bravi, the little palace of Don Rodrigo, the tailor’s house in Chiuso and the “Rocca” of Innominato. To all of these you can add the Manzoni Villa located in the neighbourhood of Caleotto, today civic museum of Manzoni.
Varenna
The small village of Varenna has become tourist destination for his beautiful views and landscape. For all over the village there are little streets that take you to Lake Lecco. It is dominated by the mountain peak, where there is an ancient castle: The Vezio Castle. In the ancient medieval fortress there is an exhibition of birds of prey and the falconer can show you flight demonstrations during the afternoon. You can also see an amazing view from the top of the tower and to have a look to the subterranean, dating back to World War I. For more information click on the link.
Other places that you should see once that you are in Varenna are: the Medieval church of San Giorgio and Villa Monastero with his wonderful gardens overlooking Lake Como. For more information click on the link.
Just 1 Km away from Varenna there is Fiumelatte. This hamlet is called like this for the river Fiumelatte, 250 m long, that is the shortest river in Italy. Fiumelatte means Milk River, they gave to the river this name for the whiteness of its waters. This is a special river also because it gushes just few months every year.
