Lake Como, surrounded by mountains, hosts medieval churches, opulent villas and magnificent gardens. That’s why it offers visitors some of the most spectacular scenery that can be seen in Italy. One of the best views of the lake can be admired from Laglio, the town where George Clooney bought a villa.
Traveling along the Strada Regina road, along the lakeside, one of the first stop is Cernobbio, the town hosting the famous villa Villa Erba, associated to the Italian director Luchino Visconti. It is another very interesting place to visit and it’s a popular lakeside celebrity hang out: you can find some of the Hollywood actors and actresses walking around Piazza Rinascimento.
If you prefer something calmer, Montrasio is the right place for you. The 11th century church of Sant’Agata is a very good example of the Romanesque Church and it’s located near the 18th century Villa Passalacquamerits.
The Medieval town of Brienno, located near the San Bernado and Briante mountains, hosts a 11th century church, the Church of San Vittore, which has an original ‘comacino’, which is the bell tower.
The Church of Saints Nazaro and Celso, has a big oratory where visitors, divided in groups, regularly gather to admire the 16th century polyptic by Andrea de Passeris.
Not far from the Strada Regina, you can arrive in Sala Comacina, which hosts the church devoted to Saint Bartolomeo and it dates back the 15th century.
The last very important church can be found in Ossuccio, and it is the one dedicated to Saints Giacomo and Filippo. Then go straight up to the mountain to visit the Sacro Monte, a complex of 14 chapels. Along the way you will find the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Soccorso that houses a statue of the Madonna and Child. Many devoted people go there to pray and for miracles.