Moltrasio is situated on the western bank of Lake Como and extends from the waters of the lake to the slopes of Monte Bisbino. Composed of eleven villages - Borgo, Casarico, Carisciano, Creolino, Somaino, Luscesino, Vignola, Casarevolo, Roiano, Tosnacco, Vergonzano, and Vighinzano - the town of Moltrasio has ancient origins, as shown by the discovery in the area of copper objects dating from 2000 BC. Other findings indicate the presence of the Gauls, in or around 200 BC and, subsequently, of the Romans. Moltrasio enjoyed its heyday at the beginning of the 12th century, prospering thanks to the extraction of local Moltrasio limestone (pietra moltresina), which was employed by master builders from the Lake Como area in the construction of churches and basilicas. In 1400, Moltrasio entered into an alliance with neighbouring Como, while a century later it suffered a sacking at the hands of the town of Torno. In 1630, the town’s population was devastated by a plague epidemic.
Its sunny location, mild climate and splendid villas have always made Moltrasio a popular holiday destination. The composer Vincenzo Bellini, for example, was a frequent guest of the town’s villas, composing the opera La Straniera and a part of La Sonnambula at Villa Salterio, while Villa Fontanelle was in 1977 bought by fashion designer Gianni Versace. Versace - who always had a soft spot in his heart for Moltrasio and Lake Como in general - had reconstruction work lasting three years carried out on the villa, under his own supervision. Equally magnificent is Villa Passalacqua, built at the end of the 18th century by the Odescalchi family. The villa, which in 1787 was acquired by the count Andrea Lucini Passalacqua, has seen a string of illustrious guests, including Napoleon Bonaparte and Winston Churchill.
Moltrasio boasts a number of interesting churches, including the parish church of San Martino with its frescoes by the Recchi brothers, the ancient church of Sant'Agata, and the oratory of San Rocco. Each year in November, for the feast of the town’s patron saint San Martino, stands sell handmade goods and local delicacies from the Lake Como area, including fresh alpine cheeses and the salted and air-dried lake fish known as missoltini.
Laglio is an excellent starting point for walks along the lake shore, and on the surrounding hills from which a panorama of rare beauty is admired. The slopes that rise above the inhabited area are rich with vineyards and olive groves.
Laglio
Dried Shad (Agone), called Missoltini or Missultin, were at one time a precious food for inhabitants of Lake Como, the particular processing allowed them to be conserved for more than a year, excellent traditional Lake Como cuisine.
Lario Cuisine
Cernobbio is the starting point for the Lariana Mountains Walk, a fascinating walk along paths between 600 - 1200 meters of altitude, entirely signalled by C.A.I. (Italian Alpine Club). The most prestigious villa is Villa d'Este.
Cernobbio
Moltrasio loop hike