Lecco

Access

City connections are provided by the state road of Lake Como and Spluga, which connects it to Milan and Valtellina. The Lecco railway station is a hub for connections to Milan, Sondrio and Como. The nearest airports are Milan-Linate, Milan-Malpensa and Orio al Serio (Bergamo).

Introduction

Lecco is the capital of the Lombard province of the same name, located on the south-eastern shore of Lake Como, where the Lario narrows into its southern branch, known as the 'Lecco branch'. The city is located in a picturesque position, nestled between the water of the lake and the peaks of the Lecco Pre-Alps, such as Resegone and Monte San Martino, that unmistakably characterise the landscape.

Description

The origins of Lecco are ancient: the area was already inhabited in prehistoric times and later by the Romans, who exploited its strategic position along the trade routes between the plains and the Alps. In the Middle Ages Lecco was a fortified town, marked by castles and walls, while in the Renaissance and modern times it established itself as a commercial and craft centre. In the 19th century the city was at the centre of Lombardy's industrial development, with particular reference to metallurgy and ironworking, which are still an important sector of the local economy today.
The urban centre spreads between the lake shore and the hillside districts. Piazza XX Settembre and the lakefront are the town's landmarks, while the Azzone Visconti bridge, built in the 14th century, testifies to the historical importance of the connection between the two banks of the Adda. The basilica of San Nicolò, with its bell tower known as the 'matitone', dominates the city skyline, alongside historic palazzi and stately villas.
The cultural identity of Lecco is strongly linked to Alessandro Manzoni, who set much of his novel I Promessi Sposi here. Manzoni's places and landscapes, such as the church of Don Abbondio (San Giorgio a Varenna) and the convent of Fra Cristoforo, are still the destination of literary itineraries. Alongside this heritage, the city conserves civic museums and exhibition spaces that tell the story of local history, from archaeology to contemporary art.
In economic terms, Lecco combines the industrial and metallurgical tradition with the service and tourism sectors. The lake and surrounding mountains favour the development of sporting and recreational activities: sailing, rowing, climbing and trekking are among the most popular.
The municipality is a privileged starting point for excursions in the Lombard Pre-Alps: climbs to Resegone and Monte San Martino, Val Taleggio and Valsassina offer itineraries of great naturalistic and scenic interest. Walks along the lakefront and cycling routes around the Lario are also part of Lecco's tourist and environmental offer.

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