Laorca Cemetery

Situated in an extraordinarily evocative natural setting at the foot of Mount Medale, the Laorca Cemetery is considered one of the most unusual and fascinating burial sites in Europe. Recognised as a national monument and included in the prestigious European Cemeteries Route (ASCE), the site appears as a true natural amphitheatre where caves and rocky crevices house historic chapels and sacred architecture. Its deep bond with the local community is evidenced by the historic popular revolt of 1933, when residents firmly opposed its closure, safeguarding this unique treasure.

Art, faith, and views over Lake Como

The spiritual heart of the complex is the ancient church of San Giovanni ai Morti, mentioned as early as 1289 and flanked by an ossuary from 1649 dedicated to the victims of the plague. Access to the site is via an 18th-century Way of the Cross (Via Crucis) that leads to the “Scurolo”, a monumental space between the rock face and the church where the War Memorial stands. In addition to its historical value, the cemetery boasts exquisite Art Nouveau (Liberty style) shrines built by prominent local industrial families and offers a splendid panorama overlooking the city of Lecco and the eastern branch of Lake Como.