Pellio Intelvi between a medieval town center and Alpine views

Pellio Intelvi shows its character especially where the medieval town center, historic buildings and mountain landscape come together. The historic center preserves its original layout and conveys the town’s medieval character. From Pellio and its surroundings, there are wide views of the Valle Intelvi and the surrounding Alps. The town can therefore be explored both through its built heritage and its landscape.

Art and architectural heritage in Pellio

Visitors interested in culture can find Casa Corti in Pellio Inferiore, a historic 17th-century villa. It has a large garden and hosts events and artistic activities. The MUDA Museo Urbano d'Arte Magistri Intelvesi includes Pellio in Alta Valle Intelvi as one of the municipalities in its open-air art trail. In Pellio Inferiore, the Chiesa di San Michele has been associated since the 18th century with a group of eight wooden statuettes attributed to Ercole Ferrata and his collaborators. The Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Giorgio Martire is one of Pellio’s most important buildings of interest.

Traces of military history

Military history is also part of the townscape. The Fortilizio di Pellio Superiore was a defensive structure associated with the strategic control of the valley’s connecting routes. Only partially preserved traces of the fortilizio remain. The Percorso delle Trincee leads to fortifications from the First World War.

Paths through forests and highland areas

The Percorso delle Trincee leads through the Foresta del Monte Generoso and the municipality of Alta Valle Intelvi, via Pellio Superiore to Lanzo and the Swiss border. It is an easy hike with an elevation gain of 485 meters and a walking time of approximately four and a half hours. Pellio and its surroundings also offer forest walking trails and mountain bike routes. The Sentiero Italia is connected with a landscape-oriented guiding route in Pellio’s landscape planning.

Festa delle Corti and practical information

The Festa delle Corti makes the historic town center an event venue to experience. During the festival, the old courtyards in the historic center are opened to visitors. Each courtyard has a refreshment point offering traditional dishes from the local cuisine. The Festa delle Corti returns on the first Monday in August.

Free parking is available along the Strada Provinciale 13. From there, Pellio Inferiore, Pellio Superiore and the town’s main attractions can be reached on foot. When choosing a hotel or other accommodation, you can align the focus of your stay with Pellio’s specific themes: culture, forest paths and mountain bike routes, or the Percorso delle Trincee hike. This allows you to base your choice of location on different travel plans without reducing Pellio to just one experience.

More places for planning your trip: Monguzzo, Cima Di Porlezza, Maslianico, Cremia, Asso, Novedrate, San Nazzaro Val Cavargna and Carlazzo.

For the higher-level travel overview: Como.