Ghisallo is a sort of legendary name, a
site which is the emblematic cyclists Sanctuary overlooking Lake Como in
the municipality of
Magreglio, an emblematic site highlighted by that iconic climb protagonist in the
prestigious Giro di Lombardia, the last classic race of the calendar,
a competition among the most
prestigious for its history and traditions.
Once on the top of that picturesque and distinctive
height you will be above the wonderful Bellagio, something absolutely special and great after that
spectacular ascent of approximately 10,
0 kilometres reaching a fascinating corner of Northern Italy situated n the
middle of a large promontory between the two wonderful arms of that
stunning water basin.
Sport passion and tourism in that case are strongly
linked, the enthusiasm of fans and amateur cyclists to reach that kind of place
surrounded by a magic aura of legend and visitors desire to admire an
unforgettable scenery in a stupendous hilly headland offering magnificent views
in a natural heaven which is able to donate everyone fantastic memories to keep
alive an eternity.
Magreglio is the town in which that marvel is
situated, a very strategic geographical point to start a multitude of wonderful
excursions discovering authentic treasures, a Mecca for the two wheels lovers
but also for passionate trekkers, creative photographers and Tour Operators who
can enlarge with that diamond their plans and offers in a land which is and
endless mine of tourist proposals with infinite options of tourist routes
simply unforgettable.
The magic atmosphere a visitor can breathe around the
Ghisallo which with its silhouette could be compared as a Lario sentinel facing the other big guards called Grigne the
highest local peaks dominating that magnificent waters basin is simply unique
at first sight, a place which is poetry, enchantment, fascination and the joy
for all those who love tourism in all its essence.
It is from sites like that where you can start start a
vast fan of stupendous itineraries combined with Lake Como exploring its striking
coasts enjoying water sports, historic attractions and a unique cruise admiring
one of the most fascinating sites of the world.
Also the interior of that scenic and ample peninsula
on which is situated the Ghisallo offers furthermore the chance to enjoy
several outdoor activities, a mild climate all year, relaxation and a genuine
cuisine and a myriad of stupendous excursions which will delight your stay and
greatly fill your pleasant days in a land which will be your holidays Eden.
Immediately after that famous ascent descending along
a spectacular and attractive road flanking uncontaminated forests on the other
side of that climb you will meet a superb gateway, an immense hallway leading
to other picturesque corners of Lombardy with the splendid Canzo and its
suggestive wild landscapes highlighted by its scenic rocky spurs and striking
wild image of mountains dominating verdant valleys and with a reach
medieval patrimony.
Even more downing towards the town of Erba with
its historic past with relevant monuments you will have the chances to discover
two small lakes such as Lago Segnino and Lago di Pusiano where I suggest you there a stop
so a captivating, romantic and of a great inspiring charm.
From there continuing during your itinerary you will
enter in the middle of the Brianza that vast territory which includes
the counties of Milan, Como, Monza and Lecco with a multitude of
options visiting big or small centres packed by gems of art and a long
history to narrate with great cultural marks and masterpieces which range from
the ancient Roman art to the Medieval and including, Baroque, Renaissance and
Liberty, a paradise also for who love art in all its beauty and splendour.
It is so easy to fall in love with that magnificent
place and furthermore there is always the opportunity to discover hidden
diamonds exploring a land extremely attractive also for its natural beauties
characterised by wonderful forests at the foothills
of the Alps.
The Colle del Ghisallo is situated at 754, 0 metres
of altitude and it also inspired artists, writers and painters, its
silhouette immediately transmits a poetic aura and bewitching with its image
which in a while the human eye totally delighted by such stunning view.
According to historic excavations which took place in
the local boundaries that site was originally inhabited since prehistoric times and it was also an ancient
settlement of Celtic populations who
were the first inhabitants who established an official village mainly living of
pastures and farms.
The current centre during the course of its history
was part of a land which lived under several rulers with the Roman Colonisation which assimilated
the former natives establishing there important communications which were
further developed by the Lombards
and later by the Franks who replaced
those previous Germanic settlers who ruled those lands over two centuries and
the latter who incorporated Magreglio and Ghisallo in the Sacred Roman Empire.
The Medieval times as all the surroundings were
protagonists of fights between the cities of Como and Milan
constantly in war to govern strategic lands between the Swiss borders and the
northwestern Italic Peninsula, clashed which endured for three decades
characterised by a feudalistic system with local lords governing sub counties
and networks of villages.
Occupied by the Spanish
Aragonese for a brief period those territories also fell under French and Austrian influences in a
period in which a big part of Europe was living those years called wars of
successions with the Hapsburg House who
which integrated the former village in the Regno
Lombardo Veneto that sub Reign depending from Vienna and part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire.
All that happened before to
join the Kingdom of Italy in 1860
led by the Savoy House who conquered
those territories after the famed battle
of San Fermo in proximity of
Como.
That small town of approximately 700 inhabitants is
characterised by a very peaceful environment, no noise and traffic entirely
surrounded by wonderful landscapes with the divine image of the lake and the
presence of several fabulous green boasting furthermore its captivating Medieval
Borgo and a charming Monastery dating back the 16th century historic
beauties which worth to be mentioned and visited and the view of the Alps not so far is a further highlight which
enchant every tourist.
The origin of its name also linked to the Madonna del Ghisallo the Virgin Mary
which is the protector of the Santuario
dei Ciclisti, the cycling sanctuary is certainly its big and main
highlight, a shining symbol which gave further notoriety to that place and the
history of that denomination is pretty remote and for someone considered
uncertain.
It is probably linked according historic narrations to
a merchant called Ghisallo which according a legend crossing the
current Brianza reached the promontory of Bellagio in medieval times transiting
in current boundaries of Magreglio when during his trip was attacked by some
bandits.
The man managed to escape and alive and save as a sign
of Religious gratitude and devotion decided to built that Chapel in the place
in which happened such episode, the site you can admire nowadays.
A great attraction is obviously that challenging
ascent which forms with that Religious temple a bipolar marvel highlighting
many editions of the Giro di Lombardia and often inserted in the Giro
D´Italia.
The Ghisallo represents one of the major icons for who
loves cycling and so in love of such emblems linked to that popular sport, a
climb which at the same levels of the mythical pavé of the Paris- Roubaix, the steep murs of the Tour de Flandres or the Alpe D´Huez in the Tour de France is certainly something unique in
its kind.
The ascent practically starts from the outskirts of
the marvellous Queen of the Lario Bellagio ending on the top of that
stunning height and in its history it was witness and protagonist of unforgettable
performances by champions who wrote indelible pages of cycling history and it
is enough to mention Costante Girardengo, Alfredo Binda, Gino Bartali, Fausto
Coppi, Eddy Merckx, Roger De Vlaeminck, Francesco Moser, Giuseppe Saronni, Sean
Kelly, Laurent Jalabert, Damiano Cunego and Philippe Gilbert among others.
The elite of that sport with all
those famed athletes who have triumphed in the Giro di Lombardia which includes
that legendary climb is so alive there; it is like part of the air you can
breathe there, something of simply unmistakable remembering the exploits of all
those figures and that wall of 10,000 metres.
There are some geographic points where it is possible
to begin the climb and the most classic, famed and panoramic is definitely that
one staring from that jewel called Bellagio (I wrote a post regarding that
superb resort if you are interested) taking the National Road 583 in
direction Asso following the indications Madonna del Ghisallo.
Naturally if you are not a cyclist you can reach the
summit by car in a short time and in both case is mandatory stopping in
panoramic points taking several fantastic pictures, I will try to describe a
little bit something regarding that spectacular ascent.
The first kilometre is not particularly difficult, it
is after approximately 2,0 kilometres before to reach Guello, a small
neighbourhood of that Lake Como pearl that the climb starts to change slopes
corresponding to a section when the SP 41 the provincial road which you
will take leaving the previously mentioned national road takes another name
becoming Strada Valassina.
From that concrete point starts the beginning of one
of the main highlights with slopes around 10% and for about 3, 5
kilometres you will cycle with gradients which are constantly between
10% and 11% except in a short stretch in which you will meet a steep wall
around 14% and that is impressive because those 4% of difference in
gradient are immediately in a while.
In that part of the climb you will also meet a great series
of seven bends simply scenic and
stunning similar in some points to some Alpine Passes and it
is also among the most attractive with the presence of several magnificent
panoramic sights on the road with magnificent views overlooking Lake Como with
the chance to stop in some of them to take superb pictures.
After those spectacular attractions there is a sort of
soft break with a decreasing of the gradients ranging around 5%, 6% and all
that for approximately 2, 8 kilometres.
In those almost 3, 0 kilometres there is an excellent
view point in proximity of Civenna, a small inhabited centre situated at
627, 0 metres of altitude. That village is currently part of the municipality
of Bellagio and it is also famous because in one of its forests called Menaresta you can see the source of the river Lambro and in addition a place well known as for its famous Massi
Erratici, those enormous erratic glacier
rocks carried by glacial ice from the Alps. (I wrote a post about Blevio on
Lake Como where you can find some of those big stones in the case you are
interested)
That place is an ideal stop to immortalise stupendous
images because from there you can take maybe a million or more stunning
pictures towards the other shore of Lake Como corresponding to the Lecco arm.
In that point that magnificent water basin has a
couple of gentle and sinuous curves, simply enchanting is the view of Lierna a small municipality facing
Civenna and from there you will have two wonderful views one towards north with
the incomparable image of Varenna and
its scenic promontory and a further one looking at south with the
silhouette of the beautiful town of
Mandello del Lario with its charming rounded headland and where the lake
starts to be is narrower in its southern coast.
Another point is immediately crossed that little
centre with a splendid panoramic towards the Grigne that wonderful rugged
mountainous group with also a superb view overlooking the lake.
The last 2, 0 kilometres of the climb are
pretty challenging with a jump from a 6% to 9% with other striking bends until
reaching the summit of Madonna del Ghisallo, that emblematic and loved cyclists
haven which will be the culmination of the efforts for a cyclist but a great
experience a so gratifying and all the visitors will be enchanted by the striking
images which will delight you.
Once there prepare your camera because everything is
simply sensational with a superb and marvellous panorama of Lake Como and the
Grigne facing you once again. The Grigne are a group of peaks, officially are
two, one is called Grignone and it
is that one further north and it is the highest peak with its 2410,0 metres,
while the other is named Grignetta (little
Grigna), a bit lower with its 2177,0 metres of altitude.
Those peaks of karst origin practically form the
border between the counties of Lecco and Bergamo,
they are stunning mountains dominating verdant plateaus but they are very
rugged, wild, with superb vertical walls with very high coefficients of
difficulties, so loved by experienced
climbers coming from different countries.
Also numerous trekkers like a lot those heights, if
you love those activities you can find there also some refuges such as Brioschi, Bietti, Bogani and Rosalba and Pialeral and
spectacular paths leading to the sources of several striking torrents and
streams so if you are interested in those kinds of activities they will be a
further pearl to add to your holidays also if you are an photography fan are
places highly suggested.
After the great view of those fabulous mounts, you can
visit the Chapel, that cycling icon venerated by many people, a sacred site
since the former Parish Priest of Magreglio called Ermenegildo Viganò called Pope Pio XII who blessed that
Religious emblem in 1949.
It is since then that the Virgin of Ghisallo was
officially declared Universal Patroness of all the cyclists and that
shrine became well known worldwide calling in
a kind of pilgrimage fans, tourists, young and old people fond about that
so beloved sport that desired and desire to see that site.
In occasion of such relevant event was celebrated a votive torchlight starting from Rome
and concretely from St. Peter Square in
Vatican reaching the iconic
Colle del Ghisallo, a route of over
600,0 kilometres across the
Italian peninsula.
That unforgettable and historic time involved all the
best cyclists of the world of those times and the last two men with the torch were Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi considered
at that time the two best riders and also great rivals.
The beauty of the genuine life was that in such
occasion the rivalry was forgotten, no controversy, polemics or disputes, all
people participated in a very friendly atmosphere sensitive that occasion was a
unique opportunity to show the world how for the unity of people can be a
splendid image to transmit in all its most pure and magnificent essence.
That emblematic episode is part of the distinctive
history of the Ghisallo, immediately it was elevated as a famous destination
which called in devotion a myriad of amateur cyclists coming from all around the
world creating a sort of myth, every day that place is visited and remembered
by many people who repeat the experience returning once again.
That attractive and emblematic building is highlighted
by a splendid facade and a charming portico characterised by stylish
columns with capitals. You will notice that the three arcades are perfectly
symmetrical surmounted by frescoes among them one depicting the famed and
sacred Madonna, the Virgin Patroness placed in the middle, an image
which delights the magnificent front side of that shrine.
The gable roof is topped by a cross and adjacent to
the main body which was restored in several occasions was erected a small
stoned construction characterised by a pleasant sloping roof.
On the left side you can admire a high bell tower
erected on a square plan reflecting the typical and traditional Medieval
Romanesque Lombard style which completes that beloved complex.
The interior is highlighted by an eternal flame burns honouring and
remembering all the cyclists died and
apart that emotive sign to pay tribute to them it is an authentic festival
dedicated to the history and memorabilia of the most legendary cycling.
You can see photos of several champions of every
nationality including the bicycles of the great Belgian star Eddy Merckx
who won five Tour de France and Giro D´Italia, one Vuelta España and three
times World Champion with furthermore a multitude of other victories in
Classics and competitions of prestige.
The visitor can also have the opportunity to admire
also that of the "Campionissimo" Fausto Coppi and of another one
which was used by another great champion, the unforgettable Bartali also
boasting prestigious victories in his twenty years of professional career.
In addition to those spectacular and unique memories
the visitor can also admire the bicycle
of the record-time used by Francesco Moser when the technology started to
enter in the cycling world with new models and materials marking a new era in
the 80s. Another one present as an icon is that of Fabio Casartelli who died in the Tour de France 1995 descending
from the Col de Portet D´Aspet and
native of Como.
Other relevant items displayed are distinctive shirts
worn by world champions, pictures of famous cyclists of the past, memories and
objects of famed figures related to that sport and much more.
Certainly all that is a great attraction able to
create great emotions and vibrations to all those who love the history of that
great sport with millions of fans in the globe.
The road alongside the Sanctuary is dedicated to the
great Bartali while in the square and apart the sculptures depicting him and
his eternal rival Coppi, you can admire another one dedicated to Alfredo
Binda that other magnificent character who won in Germany in Nürburgring the first World Championships edition on road which took place 1927.
Since 2006 Magreglio and the Colle della Madonna
del Ghisallo to delight people fervent lovers of cycling, a sport which has every
time more and more fans also have a Historic Museum devoted to show all
the enthusiastic people a wide collection related to the cycling history
displaying pieces of extreme value.
That great project with the consequent development of
that fabulous exhibition is thanks to another unforgettable figure of the
past as Fiorenzo Magni, recently
died who was one of the most active personalities to establish that great
site.
That sort of temple contains several relics and
memorabilia including many Pink Jerseys
of the Giro D´Italia the famous Maglia Rosa of different leaders of
that Italian tour since the early 30s up to current and several other
legendary items with sections which display a chronological step by step
of the main highlights of that competition.
That place is very suggested to everyone, young and
adults, a very significant and remarkable destination which will conquer you,
it is a special marvel for what it represents and for all there is around, an
Eden to admire once in a life.
I suggest you a couple of accommodations in Magreglio
if you want to spend some days there, you will greatly enjoy that place, Lake
Como, mountains and places which images will stay with you for a long time with extreme pleasure.
It is not difficult to reach Magreglio landing at Milan Malpensa Airport which is situated
85, 0 kilometres away and from there you have to take the A9 motorway until the
city of Como. Once there you have to take the provincial road SP 40 and via Pontelambro follow the indications Canzo you will at destination.
That emblematic climb and cyclists Sanctuary are
authentic legends in a superb corner of Northern Italy you cannot miss if you
are planning your holidays in the area of that magnificent lake of Lombardy,
cycling or driving it will be absolutely a stupendous stage of a stunning
vacation with a stay and days of enchanting tourism and holidays you will
certainly remember forever.
Francesco Mari
Recommended
accommodations in Magreglio
Hotel IL Nibbio
B&B Dei Laghi
Useful lnks
www.hotelilnibbio.it
www.deilaghi.com
www.comune.magreglio.co.it
www.lagodicomo.com
www.museodelghisallo.it
www.meteweekend.it
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