NH Lecco Pontevecchio
Lecco - Via Azzone Visconti 84
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Lecco is a charming town overlooking Lake Como that is known internationally not only for its stunning landscapes but also as the birthplace of writer Alessandro Manzoni. It was here that Manzoni spent his childhood and chose to set his famous novel “The Betrothed”. The town sits at one corner of the Triangolo Lariano, the land between the two arms of Lake Como, also known as Lake Lario.
Once a small village, Lecco is now a picturesque town surrounded by rolling hills and verdant mountain ranges, including the Grigne massif and the Resegone. In the Middle Ages, following the Peace of Constance, Lecco became part of the Duchy of Milan before passing under Spanish rule with Charles V, who transformed the city into a military stronghold. During the Austrian occupation in the nineteenth century, Lecco experienced a flourishing period architecturally, with the construction of palaces and porticoes in neoclassical style.
Lecco is a town that has retained its timeless charm and captivates visitors through its narrow cobbled streets, splendid buildings and ancient churches. Its centre offers much from a historical and cultural perspective, whilst the surrounding area allows you to organise outdoor activities and hiking or cycling excursions.
A visit to Lecco begins in its fascinating historic centre, where you can admire numerous architectural treasures on foot. From a small borough enclosed within city walls, Lecco has become a picturesque resort on the eastern shore of Lake Como. Here you can now spend interesting days exploring its historic centre, relax along the lakefront or embark on the various hiking routes in the surrounding areas.
The Basilica of San Nicolò was built in the eighteenth century on the remains of an earlier thirteenth-century church and is dedicated to Saint Nicholas, patron saint of sailors and boatmen. The Basilica is in neoclassical style with an interior divided into three naves with side chapels containing works of great value. In addition to frescoes in the Giottesque school style, such as the Annunciation and the Deposition, you can admire a baptismal font from 1596 and sections of the earlier Romanesque church.
Next to the Basilica stands its bell tower, known as “The Pencil Tower” which stands an impressive 96 metres tall, making it one of Italy’s tallest bell towers. You can climb to the top for a wonderful view over the city, the lake and the surrounding countryside.
The Ponte Azzone Visconti, also known as the Old Bridge, is one of the symbols of Lecco, so much so that Alessandro Manzoni himself mentioned it in the opening of The Betrothed. The viaduct was built between 1336 and 1338 to cross the River Adda and improve communications between Lecco and the Duchy of Milan, making it one of the most important engineering testimonies of the period.
In the nineteenth century the structure was restored and the three wooden drawbridges and defensive towers that had been built were removed. You can walk across the bridge and one of the best times to admire it is in the evening when all 18 of its arches are illuminated.
Villa Manzoni is where Alessandro Manzoni spent his childhood, adolescence and early adulthood, as he himself wrote in the introduction to “Fermo and Lucia”. The building boasts a neoclassical structure with a sandstone façade and features a courtyard surrounded by a portico that houses the Assumption chapel. Here the writer’s father, Don Pietro Manzoni, was buried after his death in 1807.
The villa now houses the Civic Museum of Manzoni where period furniture and objects are on display, as well as first editions of Manzoni’s literary novel. The other floors of the villa are home to the Municipal Art Gallery, the Specialised Library of the Civic Museums and the photograph library.
During a visit to Lecco, you should make time to explore its beautiful lakefront which offers stunning views in every season. The waterfront extends for several kilometres along the coast from San Stefano to the War Memorial.
For younger visitors there are play areas and green spaces where you can find some relief from the summer heat. One of the most evocative points is certainly the town harbour, created at the behest of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria.
On the finest and warmest days you can also take a boat trip on the lake or relax on one of the beaches. Water sports enthusiasts can try a variety of activities including canoeing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, diving, water skiing and sailing.
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Victory is a religious building constructed towards the end of 1918 in memory of those who died in the Great War. The engineer Pietro Amigoni designed the work, creating a church in Neoromanesque style with a pitched roof façade.
The interior features a single nave with side chapels and is simple and essential. The bell tower stands approximately 61 metres tall and houses a bell that rings every evening at seven o’clock to commemorate the war’s victims.
In Piazza XX Settembre, the heart of Lecco, you can visit the Palazzo delle Paure which was built in 1905 as the headquarters of the Finance Authority. Today the building hosts temporary exhibitions, displays and collections of works by important local artists.
On the third floor you will find the Lecco Alpine Observatory, a permanent exhibition space dedicated to the mountains and the exploits of Lecco’s mountaineers. The Observatory is a modern venue that presents the history of mountaineering in an interactive way, from its origins to the present day.
Palazzo Belgiojoso is a late eighteenth-century building constructed by the Marquis Giacomo Locatelli on the remains of a pre-existing complex. The Palace has the classic horseshoe layout with an internal garden. Today the complex houses the Museum of Natural History, the Archaeological Museum and the History Museum.
The latter, in particular, displays a collection of documents, weapons and uniforms relating to the modern and contemporary history of the Varese area. Near the entrance are medallions dating from the nineteenth century that depict the main characters of The Betrothed.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
Lecco is a welcoming and hospitable town that offers its visitors various types of accommodation. From campsites to comfortable hotel rooms, from cosy bed and breakfasts to apartments, the town boasts lodgings suited to different types of visitors. The lakefront area is one of the loveliest places to stay, as there are numerous bars and restaurants where you can taste excellent local cuisine.
Lecco is a city that is easily accessible by both car and train. From Milan the town is reachable by car via the SS36 north to the Lecco exit. Those coming from the east (Bergamo) should travel first along the SS342 and then along the SS36. Those coming from Sondrio can take the Stelvio/SS38 road and the SS36 Como and Splügen lakes route.
Lecco also boasts a railway station that is easily accessible from major towns in Lombardy such as Milan, Como, Bergamo and Sondrio. Being on the shores of Lake Como, Lecco is also reachable via a scenic boat journey from other towns on the lake. Lecco’s landing stage is in the heart of the historic centre, making it convenient for those wishing to stay in the city centre.
Lecco is also well connected to the three main Lombardy airports. Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport is approximately 42 km away and can be reached by taking the train from Lecco to Bergamo station. Once there, the ATB shuttle bus runs to the airport terminal. To reach Linate and Malpensa airports you can take a train from Lecco station to Milan Central Station; from there you will need to take a bus to your desired airport.
What's the weather at Lecco? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Lecco for the next few days.
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