Menaggio description and photos - Italy: Lake Como (Topic)

Menaggio description and photos - Italy: Lake Como. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The name in English is Menaggio.

Photo and description

The town of Menaggio is located on the western shore of Lake Como, where the valley that connects Como to Lake Lugano begins. This advantageous geographical location makes Menaggio a very lively city. Already at the beginning of the 19th century, the first tourists appeared here, who were fascinated by the beauty of the local landscapes and the mild climate. At the same time, the first luxury hotels and villas were built.

Menaggio consists of a central district and three districts - Loveno, Nobiallo and Croce with a total population of about 3200 people. The "heart" of the old town is Piazza Garibaldi, located by the harbor. In Via Calvi, in addition to numerous fashionable shops, you can see the old church of Santa Marta. A narrow cobblestone road leads to what the locals call Castello. The castle itself was destroyed in 1523 - only the ruins of the once powerful defensive walls remained from it. The church of San Carlo, built in 1614, dominates the castle ruins.

The Loveno area is famous for its aristocratic buildings - Villa Bel Faggio, Villa Garovaglio Ricci, Villa Milius Vigoni and Villa Garovaglio. Today they are all the property of the German-Italian Cultural Foundation, which organizes receptions here at the highest level. Villa Milius Vigoni is also known for its rich collection of 18th century paintings, sculptures and furnishings. It is surrounded by an English garden designed by Giuseppe Balzartetti: wonderful orchids, century-old trees and exotic plants create a unique atmosphere.

Thanks to its well-developed transport network, Menaggio is an ideal starting point for a variety of excursions in the surrounding area: by taking a boat trip you can explore the ancient aristocratic villas with beautiful parks, the bus will take you through the picturesque valleys dotted with numerous villages and tiny Romanesque churches, and on foot or by mountain bike you can visit the Val Sanagra park. The latter is a vast area with ancient rural settlements and numerous hiking trails. One of them begins in Pjamuro, a 40-minute walk from Menaggio and follows the Sanagra River among ancient mills and smelters that harnessed the river's hydraulic power. The trail leads to the village with the romantic name Monti di Madri - Mother Mountains. Another route, also originating in Pjamuro, it goes through Codonya with its elegant antique villas, which were once owned by local feudal lords and barons, and leads to the "Il Rogolione" - an incredible oak. In one of the villas of Codogni - Ville Camozzi - there is the Val Sanagra Ethnographic Museum, the halls of which are dedicated to the local flora, fauna and fossils found in the park.

Outdoor enthusiasts can try climbing the top of Monte Grona or playing golf on the magnificent golf course dating back to 1907. Menaggio also has a sports center, a 25-meter swimming pool, a children's pool and a wide beach. In winter, skiing is possible on the slopes of the surrounding mountains.

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Topic: Menaggio description and photos - Italy: Lake Como.