Calolziocorte

Culture and spirituality, just a stone’s throw from the lake

Embraced by the Orobic Pre-Alps and lapped by the waters of Lake Garlate, Calolziocorte has ancient origins. Its earliest settlement dates back to the Iron Age, while by Roman times the town had firmly established its strategic role as a centre for trade. Here you can visit the ancient Gerra necropolis and see the sacred marble inscription dedicated to Diana, goddess of the hunt and the woodland. The town is also home to the Santa Maria del Lavello complex, one of the area’s most significant examples of religious architecture, making Calolziocorte an ideal destination for visitors who want to enjoy nature and beautiful scenery alongside culture and spirituality.

Museums and cultural attractions

Calolziocorte is part of the San Martino Valley Ecomuseum, whose headquarters are housed in the elegant Villa de Ponti. The villa is also home to the Botanical Garden, owned by the Lario Orientale Valle San Martino Mountain Community. Set among mature trees and Art Nouveau architectural details, the garden contains 500 native and exotic plant species. On the slopes of Mount Resegone, in a scenic panoramic setting, stands medieval Rossino Castle. Its beautifully preserved rooms offer visitors an immersive journey into the atmosphere of the period.

Places of faith

Calolziocorte is best known for the Santa Maria del Lavello Monastery and its eventful, fascinating history. After the original church was destroyed by the Ghibellines, the site became a place of pilgrimage thanks to a spring whose waters were believed to have miraculous properties. The monastery was subsequently built in 1500 and is now one of the area’s most significant monuments to its religious traditions. Today, it is also a stop on the “Cloister Route”, a cultural and religious itinerary linking sites in the province of Lecco, Güssing in Austria and Leipzig in Germany. In Rossino, you can also visit the monumental complex comprising the churches of San Lorenzo Vecchio and San Lorenzo Nuovo and the Don Carlo Villa Museum, which houses a collection of religious objects. In the heart of the town, the imposing Church of San Martino Vescovo, Calolziocorte’s archpriest church, is also well worth a visit.

Monastero del Lavello

Nature

Calolziocorte is an ideal destination for leisurely walks along the lakeshore or a relaxing cycle ride through panoramic scenery with literary connections. The town lies along the Anello dei Laghi, the “Ring of the Lakes”, a cycling route connecting Lecco, Vercurago, Garlate and Olginate.