Ghisallo | Emblematic Cyclists Sanctuary Overlooking Lake Como.

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