Malgrate on Lake Lecco

Malgrate combines views of Lake Lecco with historic architecture and landscapes around Monte Barro. If you would like to combine the lakeside, culture and walking paths in an Italian destination, the town offers various opportunities to do so.

Lakeside promenade and views of Lecco

The historic centre of Malgrate lies directly on the lake and preserves ancient villas and historic buildings. Since 2013, the lakeside promenade has featured a large garden open to everyone. A continuous footpath with terraced levels runs along the shore. From here, there are views of Lecco with its bell tower known as the “Matitone”, as well as of Resegone and San Martino and across the lake.

The lakeside promenade also includes cycle paths used for cycling and sporting activities. From Malgrate, kayak and canoe rental routes offer views of the Lecco landscape. You can reach Lecco’s historic centre on foot from Malgrate in fifteen minutes.

Monte Barro and paths through the countryside

The Monte Barro Regional Park includes, among others, the municipalities of Galbiate, Garlate, Lecco, Malgrate, Oggiono, Pescate and Valmadrera. In Malgrate, Pian Sciresa lies on the eastern slopes of Monte Barro. The area is a large karst plateau in a forest of Scots pines and black pines.

Pian Sciresa offers a viewpoint overlooking Lake Lecco, Resegone and the Grigne. The plateau can be reached via a short footpath from Via Pian Sciresa. A varied and interesting trail also crosses the Bosco del Faée, the wettest and wildest area of the park.

History and historic buildings

Malgrate’s origins date back to Roman times; at that time, the town was known as Antesitum. Before the Azzone Bridge over the Adda River was built between 1336 and 1338, Malgrate had its own port, which connected the two banks. In the 1920s, a ferry service operated here, later replaced by the Kennedy Bridge in the 1950s.

The Cappella dei morti alla Crocetta in Malgrate was built in 1630 in memory of the many victims of the plague. Casa Reina Stabilini dates from the first decades of the 18th century. Palazzo Agudio acquired its present form between 1770 and 1780, when the Agudio family connected several buildings in its possession and commissioned the design from the architect Bovara.

Palazzo Agudio-Consonni served as a prestigious literary and political meeting place for members of the Accademia dei Trasformati. According to Francesco Reina, who came from Malgrate, Giuseppe Parini wrote the poem Il Mattino in this palazzo. At the Sopportico Parini, there is a reproduction of Massimo Campigli’s 1937 painting La spiaggia; the passageway is open to pedestrians on the ground floor.

In the Parco della Rimembranza on Malgrate’s lakeside promenade, there is a monument to the fallen of the First World War, surrounded by numerous cypress trees. The hall of the Ex Filanda Bovara-Reina continues to be used for exhibitions, fairs and other cultural activities organised by the municipality and other institutions.

Other places

Other places: Torre De' Busi, Limonta, Bellano, Annone Di Brianza, Paderno, Maggio, Varenna and Vercurago.

To the higher-level travel overview: Lecco.