The Bellano Ravine stands out as the town's main tourist attraction significant on Lake Como . This natural gorge, shaped 15 million years ago by the erosion of the Pioverna torrent and the Adda glacier, offers imposing potholes, dark ravines and suggestive caverns, evidence of centuries of rock processing.
The narrow canyon can be explored thanks to an intricate system of walkways anchored to the dizzying cliffs above the water. Recently, these walkways have been extended to reach the large waterfall located further upstream.
The narrow spaces , the play of light reflected on the rocky walls and on the water, the vegetation evocative of tropical environments and the roar of the waterfalls crashing on the stone have always inspired numerous writers. These authors painted the beauty of the place or wove legends, such as that of Taino or those linked to the Cà del Diavol .
Stendhal mentioned it in his " Journey to Italy ", while Johann Jakob Wetzel described it as "a theater of beauty and terror, from which a noise similar to that of thunder can be heard". Even the poet Sigismondo Boldoni from Bellano defined it as " Horror of a horrendous horrendousness ".
Bellano is historically linked to water, not only of the lake, but also of the Ravine. The power of the latter has provided the energy necessary to run the city's factories for centuries, thus guaranteeing work and prosperity to the citizens.
From the primitive canals and tunnels to the more modern penstock system , the waters of the Pioverna were exploited first by ironworks, spinning mills and cotton mills and later by the hydroelectric power station .
At the entrance to the site stands a pentagonal tower , perched on a boulder overlooking the stream, known since the early 1600s. Today it is known as Cà del Diavol , thanks to the frescoes depicting the devil and other mythological figures in the highest part, as well as the legends of satanic rites, parties and orgiastic encounters .
An unconfirmed story, but more likely than the legends, tells that during the Austrian domination , the house was an access point to underground tunnels under the historic center, where the people of Bellano hid during the curfew.
Today, the Ca' del Diavol is spread over three floors, offering a path that guides the visitor through the history and origins of the Bellano area, with the help of multimedia exhibits .
The visit to the Ca' del Diavol begins with a staircase cantilevering over the gorge, offering unprecedented views of the Ravine and leading the visitor to the lowest level of the tower.
The route is divided into three levels, from bottom to top, with a crescendo of emotions thanks to the innovative technological setup which allows a 360° immersion in the topics covered.
The visitor is greeted by a welcome video with the historical figure of Sigismondo Boldoni , an illustrious citizen of Bellano.
Level 1 (ground floor): History and Geological Formation From the ground floor , you discover the geological formation of the Bellano ravine and the territory of Lake Como, passing through the exploitation of the waters of the Pioverna stream, up to the tourist discovery.
Level 2: Legends and Traditions The second level, narrated by Sigismondo Boldoni , is dedicated to the legend: a story that comes to life from a large book on Pesa Vegia , the oldest and most important historical costume re-enactment in the entire territory.
Level 3: Virtual Journey The third level is dedicated to the journey : modern VR stations allow the visitor to be catapulted into a journey that follows the course of the Pioverna stream backwards, starting from the museum, through the gorge, the whole Valsassina up to the summit of Grigna, and then return to Ca' del Diavol , flying over Lake Como.
From January 29th to March 29th:
Bellano Ravine, Bellano, Bellano, Lecco 23822, Italy
The Orrido di Bellano , an enchanting attraction in the municipality of Bellano on the eastern shore of Lake Como, offers a unique experience. Here are the directions on how to reach it from different locations:
Once you arrive in the town, the Bellano Ravine is easily accessible. A walkway well anchored to the walls, equipped with a lighting system, makes the visit comfortable even for those who are not keen on climbing. By following local directions, you can fully enjoy this natural wonder and its spectacular rock formations.
© Larius Way – Made with love on Lake Como – Project by Digimatica Sagl