MOLTRASIO

Lookout point

One of the numerous lookout points in Moltrasio from where you can admire a glimpse of the neighbouring villages and Lake Como. In particular, from this lookout point you can see Palanzo, Lemna, Molina, Faggeto Lario, Torno, Villa Tanzi Taverna, Villa Roda Roccabruna, Villa Taglioni, Villa Cademartori Mylius, Blevio, Brunate e Como.

 

Niasc’s stone quarries

In Moltrasio there were 13 stone quarries in operation, among them, the Niasc’s stone quarry. The extraction proceeds had several steps: the dig, the extraction of the stone in blocks or slabs and the work of the stonecutters (called picapreda). Then, the stone were transported to the main lake on heavy wooden sledges, called carei, down the steep stony streets specially constructed with this purpose. Some of the manufacture they did were: dry-stone walls, internal and external pavings, roof coverings, curbs, slabs for balconies and tables, stairs.

Drinking fountain

One of the 30 drinking fountains present in Moltrasio. Their construction began at the end of the 19th century, after the inauguration of the municipal aqueduct which brought potable water in some areas of the village. They were used also to quench the thirst, especially on warm days. Some drinking fountains, in recent days, have been restored thanks to the contribution of Associations and individuals.

Microturbine and ancient watermill

During the twenties, the water coming from the Vesporina natural spring was enough not only to run through the aqueduct, which was inaugurated in 1888, but also to activate a microturbine that produced energy to power the public lighting. In 2012, it was installed a new 25 KW microturbine, capable of taking advantage of the 160 meters waterfall. In 2013, in the stone building where the microturbine is located, was located an ancient watermill that was in operation in the area of Rungia, present Durini Street. The watermill, powered by the water of the Pizzallo stream, was in operation in 1806 producing wheat and chestnut flour. It was also equipped with a grindstone for pressing olives.

Cam’s waterfall

The path leads to the small waterfall of Cam, where the water flows through a surface of stone of Moltrasio, forming a small pool before continuing its course to flow into the main lake. This water once powered Cam’s watermill, but unfortunately there are no remains of it in the present day.
 

Lookout point

One of the numerous lookout points in Moltrasio from where you can admire a glimpse of the neighbouring villages and Lake Como. In particular, from this lookout point you can see Palanzo, Lemna, Molina, Faggeto Lario, Torno, Villa Pliniana e Villa Tanzi Taverna, Blevio e Brunate.

St. Bernard’s Chapel

The votive chapel dedicated to St. Bernard dates back approximately to the end of the 17th century or the early 18th century. The restoration, conducted by the Accademia di Belle Arti Aldo Galli, made it possible to identify the different phases of the history of the chapel: the first one, the construction, dates back to the second half of the 18th century; in the second one, at end of the 19th century, it was done a structural change; the third one, during the first half of the 20th century, is characterized by a second structural change; the last phase, in 2014, was the state of the chapel before the restoration activities.
 

Small creek

In Moltrasio it is frequent to see rivulets on stony riverbeds. Here, in particular, you can see part of the course of the Arbusél stream. The stream, so-called because of its short course (the word means bush/branch in the local dialect), passes through Moltrasio slipping through cracks in the surface and crossing private properties, until it reaches the Pizzallo stream before ending its journey in the main lake.

Drinking fountain

One of the 30 drinking fountains present in Moltrasio. Their construction began at the end of the 19th century, after the inauguration of the municipal aqueduct which brought potable water in some areas of the village. They were used also to quench the thirst, especially on warm days. Some drinking fountains, in recent days, have been restored thanks to the contribution of Associations and individuals.

Wash-house of Proo

Its name derives from the name of the area, called “Proo”. Designed by the engineer Antonio Zannini, this wash-house was built in 1894. Its purpose was to fulfill the necessity of running water in the area of Tosnacco, in which at that time there were almost 400 inhabitants. In doing so, the locals did not have to walk down to the lake for doing the laundry, which was more than one kilometer away. It is still possible to admire the original construction, including its water tank made of stone of Moltrasio.

Fountains of Proo

Few metres away from the wash-house, it is possible to admire the fountains of Proo. Built before the wash-house, the two tanks made of stone of Moltrasio still have running water from the Orivo stream, coming from the mountains above the village. It is forbidden to drink from this fountain, except from the little faucet indicated by a specific sign.

Tosnacco

Mentioned as Tosnago, Tosnac, Toxonaco or Tosenac in various documents of the past, it is one of the more ancient areas of Moltrasio. The ancient area is formed by a group of houses so densified that it seems they barely let you walk through the narrow streets and stairs. Adjacent to the settlement there are the stone terraces, a significant component of the landscape of Moltrasio. Their evolution extends, parallel to the lakeside, along the entire territory lengths, from Cernobbio to Urio. In the past, the limited lands in these terraces were intensely cultivated.

Drinking fountain

One of the 30 drinking fountains present in Moltrasio. Their construction began at the end of the 19th century, after the inauguration of the municipal aqueduct which brought potable water in some areas of the village. They were used also to quench the thirst, especially on warm days. Some drinking fountains, in recent days, have been restored thanks to the contribution of Associations and individuals.

Lookout point

One of the numerous lookout points in Moltrasio from where you can admire a glimpse of the neighbouring villages and Lake Como. In particular, from this lookout point you can see Palanzo, Lemna, Molina, Faggeto Lario, Torno, Villa Pliniana e Villa Tanzi Taverna, Blevio, Brunate e Como.