Saint Nicholas’ Bell Tower

Known affectionately by locals as the “Matitone” (the “Big Pencil”), the bell tower of the Basilica of St Nicholas is the city’s undisputed symbol and a landmark visible for miles. Standing at 96 metres tall, this imposing neo-Gothic structure is not only one of the tallest bell towers in Italy but also the highest in the entire Archdiocese of Milan.

Its distinctive shape, culminating in a slender spire reaching towards the sky, resembles a pencil, making it a unique architectural feature of the Lake Como landscape.

A symbol of medieval history and neo-Gothic architecture 

The history of the Bell Tower is fascinating and deeply linked to the defences of the ancient town. The tower stands upon the remains of Lecco’s fortified medieval walls, using an old circular bastion as its foundation. Construction began in 1882 under the direction of the engineer Gattinoni. Despite a pause in 1894 due to a lack of funding, the determination of the people of Lecco ensured the project was completed in 1903 with the placement of the cross at the summit. The official inauguration took place on a memorable Christmas Eve in 1904, when the sound of its bells rang out over the city for the very first time.

The climb to the summit: 360-degree views of Lake Como 

Visiting the “Matitone” is an unforgettable experience. Reaching the top requires climbing 396 steps, but the effort is amply rewarded once you reach the summit. From the bell chamber, visitors can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view that encompasses the entire Lake Como basin, the elegant villas along the promenade, and the dramatic mountain peaks, such as the Resegone. It is the ideal spot for those wishing to see Lecco from a privileged perspective and capture unique photographs of the Larian territory.

The concert of nine bells 

Beyond its architectural grandeur, the tower houses a significant musical heritage. It contains a concert of nine bells cast in 1904, each dedicated to a sacred figure and tuned to ring harmoniously across the historic centre. Among these, the main bell dedicated to the Holy Trinity stands out; weighing nearly 30 quintals (3,000 kg), it is one of the largest in the region. The precision of the mechanics and the quality of the casting make the “voice” of the Matitone an integral part of daily life in Lecco.