Neighborhood highlights
MOLTRASIO
Moltrasio's origins are very old, dating back to the times of Ancient Rome and perhaps even earlier.
Our town can practically be divided into three large areas: the lake area, the central area, and the upper area.
To get to know Moltrasio, you have to put on a pair of comfortable shoes and walk along its winding streets and steep stairs; they are numerous and lead everywhere, letting you discover enchanting corners and curious characters.
Lake area
You will find old villas with magnificent gardens, which have hosted famous people in the past.
In the early 1800s, the Catania-born composer Vincenzo Bellini stayed at Villa Passalacqua, and it was in this very villa that he got the inspiration to compose the works "La sonnambula" and "Norma." For some years now, Passalacqua has been transformed into a luxury hotel that is unique in the world.
Sir Winston Churchill took a short vacation at the Villa Le Rose in 1945
Villa La Fontanella was owned by the famous Italian designer Gianni Versace for several years.
These villas are now mostly inhabited by wealthy industrialists.
In the lake area you will also find some restaurants, a pizzeria, a bar, an ice-cream parlor/wine bar, a private resort with a small beach and restaurant.
Central area
The area near the church is the old town, the heart of the village.
Enter the parish church, dedicated to Saints Martin and Agatha! I wholeheartedly recommend it. It contains works of art that deserve to be admired, but above all there is serenity and peace. Its bells mark the hours during the day and ring in celebration on special occasions.
Not far from the parish church is the small Church of Sant 'Agata (twelfth century). It is a Romanesque gem with a very beautiful wooden crucifix and a very pretty meadow that surrounds it, where religious music concerts are occasionally organized.
In the central area there are some small grocery stores and a bar. The nearest supermarket is 3km away in the town of Cernobbio.
Upper area
The upper part of the village, where our house is also located, was inhabited by peasants in the past. The view of the lake and the surrounding mountains is very unique and all the paths to the mountains above start from here. You need to be well trained to walk them.
LAKE COMO AND THE CITY OF COMO
A "must" is: "Enjoy the lake on the lake itself."
The boat service allows you to take evocative routes and during most of the year you can leave directly from the Moltrasio pier.
This way you will admire the typical villages, such as Lenno with the scenic Villa del Balbianello, chosen as a film location several times, for example for "Star Wars," the pretty Comacina Island, Tremezzo with the museum and the botanical garden of Villa Carlotta, Bellagio with the beautiful parks of Villa Serbelloni and Villa Melzi d 'Eril, until you reach Varenna with the exclusive Villa Monastero. Finally, at the far end of the lake, opposite Gravedona, is the Abbey of Piona, a rare jewel of Lombard Romanesque architecture, where you can still buy herbal remedies and liqueurs produced by Cistercian monks following ancient traditions.
In the nearby city of Como, it will be nice to visit the old town, rich in history and art from the Roman age to the present day, with several museums, a gallery, some ancient churches, and the Cathedral, as well as the rationalist neighborhood and the works of Terragni.
From 1400 to 1900, the Como area was known for the production and processing of silk. To learn more, I recommend visiting the Museo Didattico della Seta and the Museo Studio del Tessuto – MuST (Antonio Ratti Foundation), both in Como.
Of course, there are also many opportunities for shopping.
MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES
Starting directly on foot from my house, there is the possibility of taking the evocative walk along the Sentée de Sort that leads to Upper Rovenna; from here, still on foot, you can get off at Cernobbio (a walk of about 45 hours) and return to Moltrasio by boat.
More challenging excursions are those to Monte Bisbino, Monte San Bernardo, and Monte Colmegnone, from whose peaks, on clear days, you can enjoy a breathtaking view that ranges from the lake, the plain as far as Milan and the Apennines, up to the snowy Alps.
In addition, you can walk the many paths that connect the various mountain pastures on the "Via dei Monti Lariani."
The tour from Moltrasio to Como by boat is also great, then the ascent by funicular to Brunate; from here you can walk to the town of Monte Piatto and the village of Torno (a walk of about two-and-a-half hours) and finally return to Moltrasio by boat.
If you love swimming, there are some public access points to the lake, or at the Lido di Moltrasio.
Along the shores of Lake Como, you will find other beaches, such as Lido di Cernobbio, Lido di Ossuccio, Lido di Lenno, Lido di Villa Olmo and Lido di Villa Geno.
Some centers offer the opportunity to rent speedboats, canoes, and kayaks.
Another interesting alternative is to discover the lake from the sky: a seaplane flight starting from Como's seaplane port.
For wine and gastronomy, there are numerous restaurants where you can taste typical Como dishes and products.
TYPICAL DISHES
Risotto with perch, risotto with sausage, risotto with mushrooms, Milanese risotto, fried lake fish, polenta with cheese (polenta uncia) or with different stewed meats: braised, stewed, rabbit, game, or with missoltini (dried bleak), "Rustisciada"...
