Lecco

The city of Lecco is situated on the east shore of Lake Como and on left of the river Adda between Resegone and The Grigna Mountains. It is well known because the writer Alessandro Manzoni set the book “Promessi Sposi” there.There are some important monuments such as The Basilica dedicated to ST. Nicolo, the patron saint of sailors, which was built in the neoclassic style by architect Bovara. Inside there are some elements in the Romanesque style of the 11th century and there are some details are from the 17th century such as the font. Adjacent there is the prestigious bell tower which was built in the neo -gothic style and is the symbol of the city. It is called by the locals “the big pencil” and is one the 10 highest bell towers in Italy. The church dedicated to St. Marta was built in the 12th century and the façade was built in the 17th century. There are details in the baroque style and it is considered one of the oldest buildings in the city. “The palace of fright” was built in an eclectic style, over the ruins of the ancient customhouse and old walls. The palace housed the chamber of commerce and tax offices so for this reason the citizens called this building the “Palace of fright”. The chamber of commerce is closed and today and it has become a Museum. From the Visconti period the 13th century tower remains and is testimony to the Visconti domination. The tower was part of the castle and triangular shaped wall, which was destroyed by Emperor Giuseppe II and the bridge known as “old bridge”, while the rampart of wall is one of the only testimonies to the fortified new gateway of the original rampart which contained the ancient city .The social theatre is one the oldest theatres in Lombardy and was built in the neoclassic style by the architect Bovara on the request of the noble families. The 20th September square was built in the neoclassic style and is the heart of city life with elegant noble palaces overlooking it.