Discover Erba: Nature and Cultural Heritage

Erba lies at the foot of the Lombard Prealps on the Piano d’Erba. This alluvial plain lies between Lago di Alserio and Lago di Pusiano. Erba brings together a distinctive landscape and traces of different historical periods. If you’re looking for a hotel in Erba, you can plan your stay around whether you’re most interested in nature, architectural and art history, or a traditional festival.

Landscape and trails

The Riserva Valle Bova encompasses gorges, cliffs, caves, forests and wetlands. The peregrine falcon is also part of this natural environment: it nests in the reserve. A dense network of trails leads through the area and into the heart of the valley, to the Orrido di Caino. The landscape is therefore not just a point of reference for finding your way around, but also a starting point for hikes.

For a route with a specified length, Il sentiero delle scale is a useful reference: this trekking route is 2 kilometres long and runs from Erba to Albavilla. The Strada dell’acqua route can start at the Lambrone sports centre. This lets you include both a route with named endpoints and a stated length, and a route with a possible starting point, in your plans.

Architecture and art

The Museo Civico di Erba traces the history of the area from geological eras through prehistory, the Roman and medieval periods, and into modern times. Individual buildings can also be placed in their historical context. Villa Amalia was built in 1801 on the grounds of the former monastery of S. Maria degli Angeli. The villa houses Giuseppe Bossi’s painting Aurora; in the park stands a bust of Parini, created by Giuseppe Franchi.

Villa Majnoni has a large, publicly accessible park with a small temple from the Royal Villa of Monza. The origins of the Chiesa di Sant’Eufemia in Incino date back to the mid-5th century. Its Romanesque bell tower dates from the 12th century; the church also houses a 16th-century wooden crucifix in the Giottesque style.

Today, only a ruin remains of Rocca Villincino. The castle is listed as a national monument. Its enclosed, vaulted portal preserves an elegant bifora window with a column made of Candoglia marble. The Rocca also includes the Pusterla, a stone tower with small pointed-arch windows and a rustic loggia.

Further landmarks add to this range of sights: the Eremo di S. Salvatore is a significant monumental complex dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. It includes frescoes by Michelino da Besozzo and others, a cloister from the late 15th or early 16th century, and an approach avenue lined with cypress trees. The Chiesa di Carpèsino is a 14th-century single-nave church with a rib-vaulted apse and traces of frescoes from different periods. The Castello di Pomerio is a fortified building dating from the 11th to 13th centuries; remnants of its entrance tower remain.

A guided tour is required to enter the Buco del Piombo. Bear this in mind when planning your visit.

A festival in October

The Sagra del Masigott is a traditional festival in the Incino district and takes place on the third Sunday in October. Local specialities are offered at the festival, which also features an Albero della Cuccagna. The specific food on offer may vary. If you’d like to plan your stay around this event, its recurring date provides a useful point of reference.

Discover more destinations: Turate, Bellagio, Anzano Del Parco, Argegno, Laglio, Acquaseria, Pellio Intelvi, Caglio

For the full destination overview: Como.