Bellano
Nature and culture in the "village of artists"
Located along the Sentiero del Viandante or Wayfarers’ Way on the eastern shore of Lake Como, Bellano Gorge is a unique and surprising place that is certainly worth a visit.
This natural gorge, carved out of the land 15 million years ago by the Pioverna river and the Adda Glacier, displays overhanging walls where huge kettle holes and evocative ravines and caverns were formed. The Gorge can be visited today along a suspended pathway that snakes between the vertical walls amidst a play of light and shadows that amplifies the evocative atmosphere. Here it is possible to admire the force and beauty of nature close-up, as the water flows rapidly between the rocky walls.
Bellano Gorge is not only a natural attraction but also a site profoundly linked to the town’s industrial history: for centuries, the waters of the Pioverna drove mills, ironworks and spinning factories, allowing the economy of the Bellano community to prosper for several decades.
The site is also the subject of tales and legends, such as those linked to the mysterious “Cà del Diavol”, an ancient tower with a peculiar structure that stands on the rock walls, enveloped by sinister stories and esoteric symbols. It is related that secret meetings and shady practices once took place here, creating the aura of apprehension that surrounds this building. Today, the tower hosts a multimedia tour that leads visitors on a journey of discovery of the territory’s origins. Here, thanks to virtual reality, visitors can experience the course of the Pioverna river from the depths of the gorge to the peaks of the Grigna mountain.
A visit to Bellano Gorge is an experience unique of its kind: perfect for those who love to appreciate the force of nature but also for those who like to discover myths and legends linked to the territory and enjoy a fascinating glimpse of the geological and industrial history of the territory of Lecco.
Gallery
