The village in Valle Spluga is by no means a “place along the way”. With its intimate and romantic ambience, Fraciscio serves up an original holiday experience.

Fraciscio is a small community situated above Campodolcino at 1300 metres in altitude. A place vibrant with spirituality, it’s no coincidence that it was the very birthplace of St. Luigi Guanella in 1842. The painter Giovan Battista Macolino, an artist highly engaged within the churches of the Province during the 17th century was also originally from the village. Once winter reaches the houses and green surrounds of the village, the corner that’s set along the Rabbiosa torrent is transformed into an enchanting white landscape. Inhabited all the year round by a few hundred locals, Fraciscio throws up some beautiful walks, gentle excursions on snow racquets or - for the bolder – ski mountaineering, but with some fine gastronomic treats for all and sundry! But perhaps what’s appreciated most here in the winter time is the silence. On an outing along paths that take you to Gualdera or Mottala, all you will hear is the sound of snow compacting beneath you. Of things to see, rely on historian Guido Scaramellini, president of the Centro studi storici Valchiavennaschi, who strongly recommends the church of San Rocco, built in 1474. But it was only in the latter part of the 20th century that Fraciscio
was to discover its tourist potential with visitors turning up not only from Valchiavenna, but also Lecco, Como and Milan.

Passing a few hours here on any magnificent winter day guarantees a genuine appreciation of all the charm of sweet Nature at its purest.