Abbadia Lariana
Edited by:
Massimo Martini
Access
The municipality of Abbadia Lariana is easy to reach thanks to its railway station on the Milan-Lecco-Sondrio-Tirano line, with frequent regional services. By car, it is served by the Strada Statale "del Lago di Como e dello Spluga", an important artery connecting Milan to the main towns of Alto Lario, with a direct exit to the town centre. The nearest airports are Milan-Linate (about 70 km) and Milan-Malpensa (about 95 km), which can be reached via the - motorway system and the . From the centre of Lecco, which is less than 10 km away, the municipality is also connected by extra-urban bus services and the local road network, and is well integrated into the road network of the province.
.Introduction
Abbadia Lariana is a municipality located on the eastern shore of Lake Como, in the northern sector of the Province of Lecco, in Lombardy, at the mouth of the Val Meria and between the first pre-Alpine reliefs of the Larian triangle. Its geographic position gives it a particular identity as a hinge between the lake and the mountains of Lecco: the inhabited centre is mainly developed on a flat and slightly hilly strip close to the shore, at an altitude of about 204 metres above sea level, while towards the hinterland the territory rises rapidly towards the slopes of the Grigne group. Abbadia Lariana is distinguished by the presence of a long industrial tradition linked to the water power of its streams, and by its tourist role linked to the beauty of its lakeside beaches and the gateway to the Grigne mountain trails. The very name of the municipality refers to the ancient Benedictine monastic settlement that, between the 7th and 9th centuries, marked the development of the town as a religious and productive centre.
Description
The territory of Abbadia Lariana is framed by evocative natural landscapes that alternate between the lake shore, characterised by pebbly shores and clear waters, and the cool valleys furrowed by the Zerbo and Valle dei Mulini streams. In the background, the first offshoots of the Grigne group dominate, with peaks such as Monte San Martino and Sasso di Preguda. The area benefits from a rich alpine and sub-Mediterranean vegetation, favoured by the mild microclimate mitigated by the presence of the lake. The history of Abbadia Lariana has its roots in the early Middle Ages, witnessed by the remains of the ancient Benedictine abbey and the Romanesque church of San Lorenzo. Over the centuries, the town was affected by the main historical events in Lombardy, from the Visconti domination to the industrial growth of the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly in the spinning and weaving sectors, witnessed by the Museo Setificio Monti (Monti Silk Factory Museum). Among the historical figures to remember is the Jesuit Giuseppe Nava, a 19th-century mathematician and astronomer who was born here.
From an economic point of view, Abbadia Lariana has been able to combine its industrial vocation - today much reduced compared to the past - with the development of a nearby seaside and nature tourism, thanks to its wide green spaces, well-equipped beaches and the presence of hiking trails such as the famous 'Sentiero del Viandante' (Wayfarer's Path), a panoramic route that runs along the lake between Lecco and Colico, providing access to belvederes, ancient mule tracks and rural churches. Local handicrafts are traditionally linked to woodworking and wrought iron, while culinary specialities include dishes based on lake fish and polenta. Cultural life is enlivened by events such as the patron saint's festival of San Lorenzo (10 August), summer festivals, and initiatives to promote local traditions, with typical music and costumes. Nature lovers can also discover the Orrido di Abbadia and various panoramic viewpoints, including the ascent to the Sasso di Preguda, a natural balcony suspended between the lake and the mountains, a popular destination for hikers and photographers. There are numerous curiosities linked to the area, such as the prehistoric rock engravings in the Linzanico locality and the legends of mills and ancient waterworks.
Information
Area: 16.67 km²
Altitude:204m
Maximum elevation: 1,675m - on the Cresta Cermenati at the Southern Grigna
Number of inhabitants: 3.194 (as of 31 October 2023)
Name in dialect: Badia or La Badia
Name of inhabitants: abbadiensi
Patron Saint: San Lorenzo, celebrated on 10 January
Bordering municipalities: Ballabio, Lecco, Mandello del Lario, Oliveto Lario, Valbrona
Network site: www.comune.abbadia-lariana.lc.it; visitabbadialariana.it