Lecco: Art, Manzoni and mountain scenery

Lecco offers a range of starting points for planning your trip: art and local history, traces of Alessandro Manzoni, and topics related to mountaineering. The mountain village of Piani d’Erna is also part of the area’s character. When choosing your stay, consider which of these themes you would like to explore.

Art and local history in Lecco

The Palazzo delle Paure hosts temporary exhibitions on the first floor; the building is also home to the Galleria d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea. The Osservatorio Alpinistico Lecchese is on the third floor. There, the history of mountaineering is presented interactively through texts, images, videos and historical memorabilia. In one building, you can therefore encounter temporary exhibitions, modern and contemporary art, and the history of mountain sports.

The Palazzo delle Paure is accessible to people with disabilities and has a lift. It can be reached on foot from Lecco railway station. You can use this information to help plan your visit; the exhibition programme may change.

The Torre Viscontea tells a different story: it is the only fully preserved part of the fortifications of Visconti origin to have survived intact the demolitions ordered at the end of the 18th century. The first floor hosts temporary exhibitions by Si.M.U.L. and the City of Lecco’s Department of Culture. The ancient tower is also home to the Museo della montagna e dell’alpinismo lecchese. Its collection includes numerous objects illustrating the development of mountaineering equipment, as well as significant memorabilia from the achievements of Lecco’s mountaineers around the world. Access to the museum is subject to its regulations.

The Teatro della Società also offers a historical highlight: Giuseppe Bovara designed it in 1835 in the neoclassical style, modelled on Milan’s La Scala. The Ponte Azzone Visconti, also known as the Ponte Vecchio, was built around 1335 where the Adda flows out of Lake Como. These buildings represent different periods in the city’s history, from the Visconti fortifications to neoclassical architecture.

Manzoni’s traces and trails

Those interested in Alessandro Manzoni can find manuscripts, first editions and memorabilia relating to the writer’s life and work at the Museo Manzoniano in Villa Manzoni. The Itinerario Manzoniano can be explored independently or with a licensed tour guide. You can follow it on foot, by bicycle, by car or by public transport. This lets you plan your exploration of Manzoni according to your preferred way of getting around, without committing to a particular way of taking part.

The Sentiero del Viandante offers a different kind of trail: this historic route runs for about 70 kilometres along the eastern shore of Lake Como, between Lecco and Sorico. Its origins are thought to date back to Roman times. The Anello dei Laghi offers a different option to consider: it is mostly flat and suitable for families. The information about the routes’ profiles and lengths distinguishes the two options without implying any connection between them.

Mountain views and boat connections

Piani d’Erna is a mountain village with views of the city of Lecco, the lake and the surrounding mountains. The Funivia dei Piani d’Erna provides access to the village. As travel times and fares may change, it is best to check them before planning your trip. This makes the viewpoint a separate highlight to consider for its scenery.

Public boats are another option to include in your plans: boats depart from the Navigazione Laghi pier near Piazza Cermenati and travel to well-known places on Lake Como. Check the timetable for your visit. Together with the museums, the Manzoniano and the trails, they offer a range of themes to choose from for your stay in Lecco.

Discover more destinations: Brivio, Cassina Valsassina, Vestreno, Baita, Paderno, Oliveto Lario, Cremella, Cremeno.

For the broader travel overview: Lecco.