Whether illuminated by bright sunshine or bathed in gentle rain, it remains utterly charming: the Lario landscape captivates at first glance. Alongside feelings of joy or melancholy, contemplation of its waters stir the soul, with emotions most often hidden within, emerging. Upper Lake Como is full of romance and views guaranteed to arouse nuanced sensations for anyone in tune with Nature’s bounty.
No less than Leonardo da Vinci was enchanted, so much so that he chose the mountains for the background to his celebrated “Last Supper”, seemingly inspired by landscapes enjoyed during a tranquil sojourn at the abbey at Piona.I experience similar almost daily, but the views never fail to tug at the heartstrings. When living abroad over time, every re-entry to my native land provided a welcoming oasis of peace. Glimpsing reflections in the lake was always an inspiration and local dialect puts it nicely: “me se slargava el coor”, or “my heart expanded”, a newfound wellbeing delivered courtesy of everything right in front of me. I’ll never tire of the fabulous Palazzo Gallio and the evocative church of Santa Maria del Tiglio at Gravedona, that of San Gottardo at Dongo, Sant’Eufemia at Musso, the mountain villages of Melbia, Tabbiadello and Giovo, to name just a andful. Far too many to mention so I’m relying on my very favourite places that conjure up simple memories of childhood and spontaneous summer smiles. Home indeed.The setting for this seductive scenario is the gulf of Gravedona, picturesque Pra&´ Castello with its sprinkling of homes, colours in total harmony. A slightly elevated viewpoint just a stone’s throw from the lake, near the noted Palazzo Gallio. The lake itself has a mirror-like effect framed within a well-defined outline of hills. Monte Legnone faces us majestically. Its almost perfect geometry, pyramid-like, makes for an incomparable panorama. Here you can perceive the difference between the driest concept of space
and the much more heartfelt one of place: a container of emotions where beautiful memories linger and where the imagination can wander whimsically. There’s a tranquility that encourages the observer to give free rein to their thoughts, an incentive to drift from one dream to the next. When you arrive at Pra’ Castello the panorama can almost overwhelm you, and it’s only after a little while that you might notice their presence: the benches. Guardians of pleasant sensations, stolen moments and vivid memories. They host us when happy, and welcome us equally when sad, encourage our imagination to flow and revive our spirits. And when the town is asleep and everything is silent, the rippling of the waves rekindles laughter from sparkling evenings spent with one’s first love.
The Church of Santa Croce sits at Naro, a small mountain village in Gravedona territory at 690m. The seductive waves of the lake are some way below, but you can still find inspiration in the rustling ofwind through woodland that envelops this poetic locus amoenus.
Outside the church the panorama opens out from lower Valtellina and stretches to Bellagio where the lake famously splits into two branches - to Como and Lecco. And once here feel free to unburden. Literally and spiritually. Adopt the bench mentality. Amidst memories and future considerations. Because here sit the protagonists themselves. Benches, innocent witnesses yet partners to the everyday. And not so everyday. Heart-stopping relationships - long and short. And soul searching. And where better than above the most beautiful lake in the world? At peace, with absolutely nothing obstructing the view. Or the future.And so dear readers, now it’s up to you. The fabulous landscapes of upper Lake Como are awash with opportunities for all. There will clearly be a place along the banks or in the valleys of our territory that you can make your own. But take care - you’re likely to fall deeply in love.
