Discover Vendrogno: Hiking Trails, Churches and Muggiasca

Vendrogno between the hillside and Muggiasca

Vendrogno is a district of the municipality of Bellano and lies on the sunny slopes of Monte Muggio. From here, magnificent views of Lake Como open up. The Val Muggiasca associated with Vendrogno lies between Bellano and Tartavalle. The narrow postglacial gorge, formed by a stream, extends mainly along the southwestern ridge of Monte Muggio. Here, panoramic hillside scenery meets a striking landscape.

Museums and Living History

The MUU Museo del Latte e della Storia della Muggiasca is an ethnographic museum in the Località Vendrogno area of Bellano. It preserves artefacts and traditions associated with life and the material culture of Muggiasca. It is housed in Vendrogno’s former Turnus dairy; six exhibition rooms are spread across three floors. The tour presents the individual stages of milk processing.

The Museo della Resistenza is located in Muggiasca. The museum is housed in the room next to the sacristy of the Chiesa di San Grato. The churches in the districts also contain individual furnishings and works of art: the Chiesa di San Giacomo in Sanico contains an 18th-century wooden statue of Saint James, while the Chiesa di San Sebastiano in Comasira preserves 15th-century paintings.

In the Chiesa di San Lorenzo in Vendrogno, the bell tower is probably the oldest structure of the church that can still be identified today. The domes above the crossing and the presbytery are decorated with figurative murals. The Chiesa della Madonna della Neve in Vendrogno was built in 1630 as a result of a vow made by the people of Vendrogno who had been spared by the plague.

Chapels, Portals and Viewpoints

The settlement of Vendrogno, including Bruga, has fourteen mostly round-arched portals from different periods, beginning in the Middle Ages. A route through the districts of Vendrogno leads to thirteen chapels from different periods. The Santuario della Madonna di Loreto, also known as “La Madonnina”, stands completely separate from the houses on a rise at the edge of Vendrogno and offers panoramic views.

Hiking between Lake and Mountain

Vendrogno is a starting point for hikes to Monte Muggio, which is 1,799 m high. The L’itinerario della memoria follows old paths and connects Bellano with Valsassina via Vendrogno. The complete La transumanza verticale route is intended for well-trained hikers who want to explore a landscape shaped by former rural life. It runs from Sanico via Mosnico and Vendrogno to Ombriaco.

Hiking Trail 08 is also suitable for less experienced hikers who would like to explore the relationship between peasant culture and religious devotion. In its full version, Hiking Trail 09 is a panoramic hike along the mountainside above the lake. It begins in the Vendrogno area at Via per Noceno and leads to the district of Noceno; it is recommended for well-trained hikers. On the GT – Grand Tour, the descent from Croce di Muggio can be made via the Vendrogno and Bellano sections.

Festa Madonna della Neve

The 2025 Festa Madonna della Neve in Loc. Vendrogno, Bellano, was a two-day celebration featuring tradition, music, culinary delights and performances. At the Festa Madonna della Neve, a tasting of local products was scheduled from 19:00.

More places to explore: Imbersago, Merate, Esino Lario, Piantedo, Bosisio Parini, Limonta, Costa Masnaga, Oggiono

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