Articolo aggiornato il 6 May 2019 da eccoLecco
Lecco
6 hours
to all
on foot
Visit Lecco in 6 hours
Discovering Lecco: the historical center and Lake Como
Tourist itinerary in Lecco down town
If you are in Lecco and like to feel the soul of the city, we suggest you an itinerary to discover its most characteristic aspects, retracing its culture and things must to see.
We will move through the old town center on foot, strolling along the lakefront of “that branch of Lake Como”, made famous by Alessandro Manzoni in The Betrothed, to the streets of the old town, once the fortified hamlet of medieval Lecco, whose some remains are still visible: the Vallo delle Mura, the Viscontea Tower and the tower where the Basilica’s bell tower was built on.
The historic center of Lecco extends parallel to the shore of the lake Como offering 19th-century architectures, well visible in the porticoes featuring Piazza XX Settembre and in some buildings. Just in this very central square Palazzo delle Paure is worth a visit: it is a museum complex hosting the Art Gallery and Lecco Mountaineering Observatory, a technological and interactive museum that tells us the history of the alpinism of Lecco and the figures that have made it worldwide famous, starting from the enterprises of the red sweaters of Lecco Ragni.
From the central squares there are streets and alleys characterized by the presence of fashion shops and family residences. Two squares open and close the historic center, distinguish Lecco in a different way: piazza Manzoni with the monument dedicated to the illustrious writer and piazza Cermenati with the monument to Mario Cermenati, founder of the Civic Museums of Lecco. Close to Piazza XX Settembre, there is Piazza Garibaldi where the Teatro della Società is placed. It is the emblem of the neoclassical style, project of the Lecco architect Giuseppe Bovara.
When you are strolling in Lecco we are sure your eyes are captured by the tower bell of the Basilica of San Nicolò, standing on Lecco with its 96 meters. Just the same height of the London’s Big Ben. Due to its particular shape, here in Lecco we call it “matitone” i.d. big pencil. We recommend you a visit, possible by reservation on a few days of the month.
The Basilica of the city is dedicated to the Patron Saint of Lecco, San Nicolò or Saint Nicholas. Walking along the lakefront, you see the golden statue located in Punta Maddalena, near the Gerenzone’s mouth and in front of the monument to Antonio Stoppani, father of the italian Geology and Paleontology.
Another site of interest is the Nostra Signora della Vittoria Sanctuary, dedicated to the First World War Fallen and hosting some great artworks. It is located in front of the monument to Alessandro Manzoni, at the other side of Lecco downtown.
Easy to get walking from Piazza Cermenati, passing through Piazza XX Settembre and then straight on along Via Roma.
We suggest you a tourist route to discover the historical centre of Lecco on foot.
You may visit it upon your needs and tastes.
In any case… welcome to Lecco: a city to discover and love!