San Pietro al Monte
A Romanesque masterpiece suspended between the sky and the lake
Perched high above the Lecco branch of Lake Como, on the slopes of Mount Moregallo, stands one of Lombardy’s most fascinating Natural Monuments: the Sasso di Preguda. Situated at an altitude of 647 metres within the territory of Valmadrera, this site offers some of the most spectacular panoramic views in the region, encompassing the Lake Como basin, the Brianza lakes, and the unmistakable silhouettes of Mount Resegone and Mount San Martino.
A monument of nature: the erratic boulder
The undisputed protagonist of this location is the “Sasso”, an imposing erratic boulder of ghiandone granite standing approximately 7 metres high. Erratic boulders are large blocks of rock that were transported over long distances by the movement of glaciers during ice ages and deposited on the terrain as the ice retreated, remaining today as isolated witnesses of remote geological eras. Originating in Val Masino, the Sasso di Preguda was dragged by glaciers for over 80 kilometres to its current position during the Quaternary period.
Declared a Regional Natural Monument in 1984, the Sasso became famous thanks to the Lecco-born abbot and geologist Antonio Stoppani, who used this giant to confirm theories regarding the glacial origin of Alpine deposits. A plaque fixed to the rock still commemorates the scholar’s work today.
The Church of Sant’Isidoro: architecture in the rock
Built against the southern face of the boulder is the small Church of Sant’Isidoro, a unique example of the seamless integration between architecture and geology. The devotion of local farmers towards the Patron Saint of agriculture initially led them to carve a niche directly into the rock to house his statue.
Following a severe livestock epidemic, the current chapel was constructed between 1895 and 1899, cleverly using the face of the boulder itself as the back wall and apse. The simple and intimate interior houses a relic of the Saint and records of the restoration work carried out by dedicated volunteers.
Trekking and practical information
The Sasso di Preguda is a perfect destination for a short and accessible hike. The main path starts from the hamlet of Piazza Rossè in Valmadrera (path no. 6) and takes approximately 40-60 minutes through scenic woodland. The route is classified as easy and involves an elevation gain of around 330 metres.
