Varenna

Varenna is one of the most charming villages on Lake Como, surrounded by beautiful historic and natural sites, including the superb Villa Monastero, with its narrow streets and small squares. It can be reached by boat from Bellagio or others, 20 minutes by road from Lecco.
It was originally a small fishing village with Roman origins, developed under the Visconti and the Sforza to grow wealthy and acquire an important heritage.

Places to see in Varenna

Its medieval church consecrated in 1313 San Giorgio displays on its facade Saint Christopher, patron saint of travellers, 14th-century frescoes, and the baroque high altar.
On the same square, the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie preserves a wooden statue of the Virgin and Child from the late 16th century, frescoes, and a baroque altar in gilded wood.
San Giovanni Battista is of ancient origin, dating back to the 11th century, and preserves frescoes from the 14th-16th centuries.

The Villa Monastero overlooks the lake with its magnificent botanical garden stretching for two kilometres along the shore. It was formerly a place of spiritual retreat for the Cistercian nuns, and keeps magnificent sculptures in its museum-house.
The Civic Museum of Ornithology has an interesting collection of birds.
The neoclassical Villa Isimbrandi is today the Hotel Villa Cipressi, with a rich garden and terraces.
Its 500-metre-long Lovers’ Walk has a metal footbridge fixed into the rock and overlooking the lake, linking the centre to the pier.
A beautiful walk also links Varenna to Bellano.

Overlooking the village, the Castle of Vezio is of medieval origin, of which walls remain, with a garden, and the tower from which a panorama of the lake opens up.

Information

• Wikipedia article: Varenna
• Tourism portals: www.in-lombardia.it, varennaturismo.com

Map