Discover Pognana Lario on Lake Como

Pognana Lario lies on the eastern shore of the Como branch of Lake Como. Churches, frescoes and intricately worked stone details characterize its historic centers, while several named footpaths lead to different points of interest. This gives you two clearly distinct focuses for planning your trip: architectural heritage in the village and footpaths to the destinations named for each route.

Historic Centers, Churches and Art

The Chiesa di San Miro in Rovasco was built around the 13th century. The Chiesetta di San Miro preserves an image of Saint Christopher and a nursing Madonna, both rare works dating from the 13th century. This connects the church’s history with two specific religious subjects.

The Chiesa di San Rocco in Canzaga is the former parish church of Pognana Lario. The frescoes on its cross-ribbed vault are attributed to the Tuscan painter Bartolomeo De' Benzio. Both the church’s history and its artistic decoration are therefore among the features of this historic center.

The Parrocchia della SS. Trinità was built around 1740. Its churchyard sits on higher ground and forms a panoramic terrace overlooking Lake Como. In the lanes of the historic centers of the hamlets, you will find frescoes, granite portals and wrought-iron balconies. In the historic center of Pognana Lario, houses built from Moltrasina stone also shape the streetscape; many houses feature granite elements crafted by stonemasons.

The Cappella di Nera houses a painting of the Madonna of the Rosary. It can be reached via the Strada Regia, the old road that connected Como with Bellagio. Public art is also part of the village’s character: the sculptures created as part of the “Primo Simposio Internazionale di Scultura su Pietra Dorata” can be seen in Pognana Lario. The symposium took place in Quarzano from August 29 to September 7, 1986.

Footpaths and Getting Around

The footpath from Pognana to Palanzo offers lake panoramas and views of old farmhouses. Another walking route starts at the Chiesa di San Rocco and also leads to Palanzo; it forms part of the Strada Regia, the old road linking Como and Bellagio. Both routes therefore lead to Palanzo, but have different named starting points.

The Strada Regia hiking route from Torno to Pognana Lario continues from the village center to the Chiesetta di San Miro in Rovasco. This gives you different reference points for finding your way: Palanzo for the two routes starting in Pognana or at San Rocco, and the Chiesetta for the route from Torno.

You can reach Pognana Lario by car via the SP583, which runs from Como in the direction of Bellagio. The hamlets lie along the provincial road from Como to Bellagio.

Summer by the Lake and Village Festivals

In summer, the Spiaggetta di San Fedele is used for cooling off and sunbathing. The Sagra degli gnocchi is also one of Pognana Lario’s village festivals. This seasonal lakeside activity and the festival add further facets to the village alongside its churches, artworks and footpaths.

Discover more destinations: Tremezzina, Lucino, Orsenigo, Osteno, Lenno, Dolo, Veleso, Naggio

For the main travel overview: Como.