Bellano, the crossroads village on Lake Como

Bellano, a picturesque village overlooking Lake Como, has an uncertain etymology: some trace it back to “Bellus-Amnis” (“beautiful river”) in reference to the Pioverna, others to “Bellum-Ano” (“place of war”), a hypothesis supported by its strategic position between lake, mountains, and transit routes.

The first historical records date back to 905, when the archiepiscopal palace hosted a tribunal connected to the Monastery of Sant’Ambrogio in Milan. Struck by the devastating flood of the Pioverna in 1341, Bellano rebuilt its parish church by 1350.

In the Middle Ages the village enjoyed great prestige, with schools already attested in 1417, walls, palaces, and an active administrative role. Passing from the Torriani to the Visconti, from 1370 it obtained the right to draft its own statutes. Lootings were frequent, including the Venetian one in 1447. From 1533 to 1788 Bellano belonged to the Sfondrati fief, suffering plagues and invasions but maintaining its centrality in the Lake Como area.

What to see in the village

Bellano offers a rich cultural and spiritual itinerary thanks to the BAC Bellano Arte Cultura project, which connects the Orrido, the churches, and the museums of the village in an immersive route. The Orrido di Bellano, a natural gorge dating back 15 million years, can be visited via suspended walkways, while the evocative Ca’ del Diavol, linked to dark legends, today hosts an immersive center with augmented reality.

The deconsecrated church of San Nicolao, restored, has become an exhibition space for contemporary art, while the Giancarlo Vitali Museum, set up in the ancient Palazzo Lorla, preserves over 100 works by the Bellanese painter. The Church of Santa Marta, with its late Gothic layout, houses a seventeenth‑century altarpiece and precious banners, while the dramatic Lamentation over the Dead Christ by Giovanni Angelo Del Maino represents a masterpiece of Lombard wooden sculpture.

Of great charm is the Church of Saints Nazaro and Celso, with its bichrome marble façade and interiors rich in frescoes, wooden confessionals, and a marble baptistery. In Vendrogno, the MUU Museum of Milk and the History of Muggiasca recounts traditions and tools of ancient Alpine dairy production, while in Lezzeno the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Lacrime preserves the miraculous image of the Virgin in a richly decorated setting. Bellano thus confirms itself as a village capable of uniting nature, art, and devotion in a unique experience.

Events not to be missed in Bellano

In the village’s calendar of events, the most famous is the Pesa Vegia (January 5), a seventeenth‑century historical reenactment with over 200 participants, spectacular scenery, and costumes.

In July the Agoni in Contrada is celebrated, a food festival dedicated to lake fish, accompanied by the Bellano Jazz Festival, and the patronal feast of Saints Nazaro and Celso, with music, entertainment, and fireworks. In August the Bellano Festival brings grand opera to the lake, with the international singing competition and a full opera performance. Completing the program are the literary review Il bello dell’Orrido and the summer Borghi in festa in the hamlets.

Surrounding points of interest

The Menaggio Refuge, located at an altitude of 1,383 meters above sea level, is a highly recommended panoramic point for hikers, thanks to its enchanting views of Lake Como. From there it is possible to climb Mount Grona. The refuge is managed by the CAI and offers food and lodging during the summer months. Nature lovers can also embark on a tour of Lake Como by ferry, taxi boat, or rental boat. Visitors also have the chance to enjoy tourist rides on the typical Lario boat, the Lucia, thanks to the ASD remiera I Laghèe.

In Val Menaggio, immersed in a lush forest rising on the slopes of Mount Galbiga, one can admire Lake Piano, within the regional nature reserve.

Set out to discover Bellano and let yourself be enchanted by the landscapes it offers!

Photo credits: pymata