Plesio: Churches, Hiking Trails and Cultural Heritage

In Plesio, sacred architectural history, traces of work and hiking routes with named destinations sit side by side. When planning a stay, you can first decide whether churches and their history, evidence of local architecture and work, or trails and landscapes are your main interests. The time periods range from the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena, dating from the first half of the 17th century, to the present-day building of San Gregorio Magno, built in 1873. At the same time, summer transhumance is still practised on the Alp Nesdale.

Churches and their different histories

The Santuario della Madonna di Breglia was built in the second half of the 18th century. A Stations of the Cross depicting the mysteries of the Rosary leads to the sanctuary. The sanctuary houses a marble Madonna that has been venerated for more than two centuries. In 1740, a Tatti from Breglia brought the statue from Genoa. The building’s history, the devotional image and the Stations of the Cross each provide a distinct point of interest for visitors interested in religious art and local history.

The Church of San Fedele also brings together several periods: it was elevated to parish church status in 1582 and partially rebuilt between 1808 and 1836. The present-day building of the Church of San Gregorio Magno in Breglia dates from 1873. It replaced an older structure that had been destroyed by a major landslide. The dates therefore tell different stories: San Fedele’s history concerns its elevation to parish church status and a partial rebuild, while San Gregorio Magno’s concerns the replacement of a destroyed predecessor. The Church of Santa Maria Maddalena in Barna dates from the first half of the 17th century and adds to this range of periods.

Washhouse and marble quarry

In Barna, the most elaborate washhouse is in an open arcade, vaulted with a cross vault and open on all four sides. This open architectural form stands alongside the local churches and their varied building histories. Above the settlement of Ligomena are the remains of the Fiamma di Plesio marble quarry. It was worked from 1935 to 1955, for about two decades. The washhouse and quarry add architectural and industrial traces to the picture of Plesio.

Hiking routes and their destinations

The routes can be distinguished by their respective starting points and destinations. The approach from Mulino Spinzi to Piazza follows a mountain road and takes about 40 minutes; the Anello del Munt circular trail then begins near the Cappella del Bergum. It offers a view of Lake Ceresio. On the Anello di San Domenico, the trail leads from the hamlet of Breglia to a viewpoint near the Cappella di San Domenico. From the Oratorio di Sant’Amate, you can take the trail to Monte Bregagno.

If a scenic view is an important factor in your choice, the Anello del Munt explicitly names Lake Ceresio; for the Anello di San Domenico, the named destination is the viewpoint near the Cappella di San Domenico. The hike from Breglia to Rifugio Menaggio has a different route description: it initially follows a paved road and then a forest trail along a gravel road closed to traffic. Trail and road conditions may change seasonally; check conditions before setting out.

A continuing summer tradition

Summer transhumance and cheese-making continue on the Alp Nesdale. Unlike the dated building and quarrying histories, this describes a continuing seasonal practice. Thus, alongside churches and architectural heritage, Plesio also has an agricultural aspect that connects summer on the alp with local cheese-making.

When planning your stay, you can weigh these themes according to your interests: churches and their history, the architecture in Barna, traces of marble quarrying or the varied destinations of the hiking trails. For the route from Breglia to Rifugio Menaggio, you should also take seasonal trail conditions into account.

Discover more destinations: Dosso del Liro, Luisago, Pellio Intelvi, Asso, Val Rezzo, Gravedona, Erbonne, Cernobbio.

Back to the main travel overview: Como.