Brianza: the garden of Lombardy

Alessandro Manzoni began his most famous novel by praising the beauty, richness and generosity of Brianza: the greenest area in Lombardy, and we are right in its heart!

The local area and its history

Brianza is an area of Lombardy with clearly defined boundaries, divided between green plains, hills covered with forests and the prealpine mountains of Valsassina. The area takes its name from the word "Brig" which, in Celtic, means "high ground", and is known as "the green area of Lombardy", a huge garden made up of lakes, rivers, valleys and paths immersed in the greenery.

The rivers Adda, Lambro and Seveso and the small lakes of Oggiono, Annone, Segrino and Montorfano.   The plentiful water sources and the variety of the landscape provide a range of natural ecosystems of great naturalistic interest inhabited by a multitude of animal and plant species, to the delight of nature lovers and walking enthusiasts.
To avoid damage to the natural areas, various nature reserve parks have sprung up in recent years. Visitors can explore and enjoy these on foot or by bicycle using the paths and cycle tracks, or visit the nature laboratories, observatories and museums.  

The first human settlements in Brianza date back 5000 years and their remains have been discovered near the city or Erba in the natural caves of Buco del Piombo. The convenient position and richness of this area have attracted many peoples during the different periods of history. Archaeological finds bear witness to the presence of the Roman civilization. Traces of much warlike activity, from the fall of the Roman Empire onwards, have been found in the numerous castles and towers in the hills, many of which are still in excellent condition.

In order to appreciate the importance and richness of the history of these lands, it is necessary to lose oneself in its valleys and experience chance encounters with its towns and people. The most enthusiastic visitors can take advantage of the wealth of knowledge contained in one of the area’s many museums. These include:

  • Civic Archaeological Museum in Erba (Como)
  • Museum of the Birthplace of poet Giuseppe Parini in Bosisio Parini (Lecco)
  • Buco del Piombo Museum in Erba (Como)
  • Museum of Upper Brianza in Galbiate (Lecco)
  • Civic Museum of Abegg Silk in Garlate (Lecco)

Lakes Lecco and Como

The Lecco area became famous during the last century thanks to the novel I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed) by Alessandro Manzoni, set in this branch of the lake.   This zone is the harshest and most geomorphologically tormented of the whole Lario area of Lombardy. In spite of its vicinity to the Brianza valleys, this area’s most striking characteristic is the presence of gentle hills and harsh mountains of the Valsassina mountain chain:  the Pizzo dei Tre Signori (peak of the three gentlemen) and the Grigne and Resegone Mountains form the backdrop to the evocative Lecco countryside.

As well as adding an aesthetic quality, these mountain chains also protect the area which, from a climatic point of view, benefits from the waters of the lake and the Breva wind which blows from the South in the afternoons. The mildness of the climate and exposure to the sun favour agriculture.  Indeed, olive oil and wine were produced here in the past as well as high quality figs, walnuts, hazelnuts and chestnuts. The gardens of the large, aristocratic villas spread out along the Riviera also grow Asiatic and Mediterranean plants. 

Along the shores of the lake there are clues to the area's past: among pretty coves with moorings and little harbours there are tiny villages with rows of stone houses lined up along the lake shores, preserving traces of the widespread human presence to have populated these places. Thanks to its strategic position, the lake, with its branches of Lecco and Como, was a key mode of transport and a prize sought-after by anyone settling in the area. The most ancient archaeological finds date back 2500 years to the Gauls, Celts, Romans, Franks, Spanish and Austrians who fought to gain control over this rich land. They left behind a wealth of cultural and historical heritage and world famous beauty spots whose charm remains intact, having rendered them essential destinations for refined travellers who, in past centuries, crossed the Alps to visit Italy. 

In spite of the limited size of this area, there are few other locations in Italy offering such a variety of habitats, landscapes and human settlements.There are just a few kilometres from the high mountains to the lakes, from the wild Alpine pastures to the hills, from urban areas to hamlets, and from fertile oases to ski slopes.    Hares, pheasants, deer, chamois, ibex and birds of prey inhabit these valleys, which are still in a very good state of conservation.
All this serves to make Lake Como, Lecco and Brianza an unforgettable holiday experience, and the position of our hotel-restaurant in the heart of these lands means that I Ronchi is an ideal starting point for enjoying this natural beauty.