MOLTRASIO

Villa Salterio Erker

This villa is the home of many stories about arts and its tenants. Its most famous dweller is the opera composer Vincenzo Bellini (1801-1835), who lived in Moltrasio for many years. The villa with its large garden during years passes into ownership to different families. From the Baron Filippo Durini, is bought in 1820 by the Salterio family who rents it to the Milanese Cantù family for the daughter Giuditta. From 1885 is property of the Gallone family until the second half of the 20th century, when it is bought by the Austrian Erker Hocevar family.

Arbusél stream

The word arbusél means bush/branch in the local dialect, -indicating the short course of the river- which comes from the italian word arboscello. The confluence between the Borascia and Orivo streams, which flow down the mountains behind Moltrasio, forms the Arbusél stream. The stream passes through Moltrasio slipping through cracks in the surface and crossing private properties. Then, after a small fall, it rushes under the houses of the centre of the village to continue its course. Towards the end of it course, it reaches the Pizzallo river 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 / Small fountain

One of the main wash-house in Moltrasio, used in the past to do the laundry. It dates back to the early 20th century, built after the inauguration of the municipal aqueduct from which it received water. The wash-house is situated close to Umberto I’s square, just above the Pizzallo stream’s riverbed, along the so-called “Watermills valley”. The latest usage goes back to the 80’s of the 20th century.

Moltrasio’s Cooperative

The Moltrasio’s Cooperative was constituted on August 10th, 1902: 130 male citizens of Moltrasio went to the notary; they were mostly masons. The Cooperative was funded with the purpose of buying and selling food products at lower cost, in fateful times marked by poverty. In 1907, thanks to the numerous memberships, the Cooperative was able to buy a building in Raschi street and to build two bowling alleys. In 1952, the Cooperative became a gathering place to play cards, morra and to have a conversation. Today, the bowling alley has been turned in a large space for various social activities.

St. Martin’s Church and Square

The Moltrasio’s parish church and its square are deeply connected not only because of their adjacent position and the same name, but because their current appearance is the result of the reciprocate transformations undergone on both the church and the square. Until 1923, in fact, the church was connected to the town hall through a cuert – meaning portico in the local dialect. From 1935 began the constructions to realize the square, to build Roma street, where there were the so-called “ponti di Borgo” (two bridges in the centre of Moltrasio) and to enlarge the church, because of the increasing population.

Kindergarten

Today’s kindergarten is the result of a process began in 1872 when there was talk of the need, especially from Cavalier Besana, for a construction to welcome pre-school age children abandoned through the streets. On July 20th, 1879, the “Charity Kindergarten” is inaugurated. Not long after, thanks to benefactors, the Municipality is able to build a new building to welcome not only the kindergartners, but also the Primary School students. This building will be substitute with the current one, completed on September 18th, 1910, and still today everyone knows it as the “Kindergarten of Moltrasio”

Primary School

The building, inaugurated on November 3rd, 1930, was named after General Antonio Cantore. He was a career officer of the Alpini - élite troops of the Royal Italian Army -, and he was awarded the Gold Medal for military valor. In the view of dedicating the new school to the memory of the Italian heroes, just near the building, was located the Garden of Remembrance and, on the wall over the main stairway of the school building, was placed a commemorative plaque of marble. In a room on the ground floor there is the seat of the local musical band “Corpo Musicale Moltrasio”. Since 1855, the band has been involved in the village life, playing during religious processions and taking part on civil demonstrations.

St. Agatha’s Church

The artists behind St. Agatha’s Church were the Maestri Comacini (Masters of Como). The church dates back to the 11th century. The most evident modifications done in the structure were the expansion of the central nave, with the building of the minor aisle, and the construction of the current entrance. It was gradually abandoned until the 18th century, when the building began to be used as a lazaretto during the plague. In 2006, the restoration of the frescos led to a series of significant findings; in the minor apse, appeared part of a Christ Pantocrator between Saint Roch and Saint Anthony Abbot, that dates back to the 16th century. In 2014, the wooden Renaissance Christ was restored.

Villa Passalacqua

The initial building was commissioned by the Odescalchi family. Giovanni Battista Lucini Passalacqua, Decurione of Como, acquired the villa in 1756. His son Andrea commissioned the architect Felice Soave to draw a new design for the property. It included the complete restylement of the whole territory by adding staircases, water facilities and garden terraces supported by a subterranean structure with tunnels. The next owners, Alessandro Lucini Passalacqua, a great humanist, and his son Giovanni Battista jr., an Oriental art collector, embellished the villa, called at that time “Palazzo”, with valuable objects. In 2018 the villa is acquired by the businessman Paolo de Santis, who happens to be from Como.
Nel 2018 la villa è acquistata dall’imprenditore comasco Paolo de Santis.

Holy Staircase

Generally known as the “Holy staircase” due to its steep gradient, this straight staircase connects Besana Street with Regina Street. The original stones of the staircase are well-preserved, and it is possible to appreciate the two different layings of the stones: the first one consists on stones laid diagonally at the same level to facilitate the sliding of a sort of sledge for transporting stones, timber and various goods to the port; the other part, which occupies one-third of the width, is paved for pedestrian use to prevent people from being run over by the sledges, and to facilitate the ascension back to the top.

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, Blevio, Brunate e Como.