Griante, Lake Como: the empire of azaleas, between Menaggio and Tremezzo [Infographic]
According to some theories, the toponym of Griante, on the western bank of Lake Como, could derive from the French riant, meaning “laughing”: is there a more lovely name for a village?
The Celts even called it Griant - Tir, that is: “the land of the sun”.
Strategically located between Menaggio and Tremezzina, Griante lies on a wide plateau overlooking the lake, at about 50 mt. above the lake level. The village faces Bellagio, with the dolomite massifs of the Grigna and Grignetta in the background: a pretty unique natural scenery!
If you are passionate about flowers, you’ll be pleased to know that Griante is located in the so called "Riviera delle Azalee”: a stretch of coast where azaleas bloom more than elsewhere, creating a magical, romantic atmosphere.
Pic by Andrey Mukhin
Griante offers a wide range of hiking trails, the Greenway del Lago, the famous gardens of Villa Carlotta, the golf course of Menaggio a few minutes away, and frequent ferries and ships to Bellagio and Varenna.
The Swiss border and the vibrant city of Lugano can be reached in 40 minutes; Como city is just 45 minutes away, and Milano in approximately 80 minutes.
Famous visitors
For many centuries, Griante gave hospitality to a number of great visitors. Stendhal had set some passages from La Certosa di Parma (La Chartreuse de Parme), and the town was also mentioned in the poem Buchi nella sabbia by Ernesto Big boys. The great Ricordi music publishers owned Villa Margherita in which Giuseppe Verdi was also hosted (he composed some arias from La Traviata there).
Villa Margherita Ricordi
American poet Longfellow (1807-1882) dedicated some of this works to his beloved Cadenabbia, the famous district of Griante.
Famous people stayed in Griante, like Queen Victoria of England, Nicholas II of Russia, Kaiser Wilhelm II, Prince Umberto of Savoy (before becoming the last king of Italy), Pope Pius XI as well as Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, one of the authors of the European Union, who called Griante 'my second homeland'.
Today Griante is an internationally renowned tourist center on Lake Como, with tons of prestigious villas and hotels along its coastline.
About Cadenabbia
“No sound of wheels or hoof-beat breaks
The silence of the summer day,
As by the loveliest of all lakes
I while the idle hours away.”E. W. Longfellow- Summer 1872
Source: larioonline.it
Cadenabbia district in Griante deserves a special mention.
The origins of its name are bound to different etymological traditions, one of which says that it comes from the contraction of Ca’ dei Nauli, i.e “boatmen’s house”.
In the past, in Cadenabbia, there was an inn to which all boatmen (coming from Como or Lecco to deliver their goods) used to stop and taste the excellent local wine: the Griantino. At the beginning of the 19th century, Mr Gianella turned that inn into the very first hotel for tourists and visitors on this area, which immediately became well known among travellers from all over the world.
For a long time, Cadenabbia has been one of the favoured places for the British and a large community lived here: it’s not by chance that the very first Anglican Church of Italy has been built (and consacrated in 1891) right in Cadenabbia!
The ferry station
One the big plus of living in Griante is for sure the possibility to get a direct ferry to Bellagio and Varenna. From the Imbarcadero in Cadenabbia, indeed, you can jump with your car on a ferry and in 15’ you can cross the lake!
While you wait for the ferry, you can take a coffee in the café just on the other side of the road, Bar Impero, one of the oldest café of Lake Como (their awesome sign is still the original one from the early 20th century!).
If you’re having a stroll near the ferry station between March and April, don’t miss the breathtaking wisteria blossom in the nearby waterfront promenade.
© Lakeside
The best villas of Griante
Griante is… well, it’s a synonym of the ultra famous Villa Carlotta, one of the symbols of Lake Como!
© Lakeside
This huge mansion houses a museum with works by Antonio Canova and paintings by Hayez, and it’s surrounded by a wonderful eight-hectare botanical garden. It once housed illustrious people, like writer Gustave Flaubert, who stayed there during his holiday on Lake Como in 1845.
Villa Margherita Ricordi was built in 1853 on commission by publisher Giulio Ricordi. It’s an easily identifiable villa, thanks to the elegant inscription Margherita on the pediment, the clock with two sculptures (probably allegorical representations of Music and Poetry) and the great hemicycle hall, once dedicated to small concerts.
Villa La Collina was the summer residence of the First Chancellor of the German Republic, Konrad Adenauer. The villa was later purchased by Konrad Adenauer Foundation which made it an international congress center. Today Villa La Collina is also an exclusive hotel. Many international politicians and business people were guests in Villa La Collina. The publicist and writer Herrmann Hesse - who lived and worked in the near by Switzerland - had started several times to go on the chancellor’s traces.
Bisbino, the historic steamer
This steamer docked in Cadenabbia is more than a ship: it’s a piece of our local history and tradition, as well as an excellent and brave example of conservative restoration.
© Lakeside
The effort that has been made to maintain the Belle Epoque vibe of this jewel is undoubtedly something praiseworthy.
Launched in 1907 as a steamer, Bisbino was part of the Lariana fleet.
On January 10, 1945, while sailing over the central lake, Bisbino was attacked by anglo-american fighter-bombers, but luckily wasn’t fully destroyed.
In 1956 it was transformed into a modern motorship, with a modified hull, a new inclined bow, and a new deck with large panoramic windows. After 26 years of intense use almost all year round, this beautiful ship was finally moored in 1982. In 2003 it finally became a lounge bar and, today, a charming gallery-café crossroads of local artists.
The pebbled beach and the exclusive beach club
Griante beaches are famous for their perfect sun exposure: we’re talking about Ponte Ronconi and Banderon. The pebbled beach near the bridge is public but you can rent umbrellas, deck chairs and canoes; plus there’s a small bar “Al Punt” directly on the beach.
In Cadenabbia there’s also a luxury beach club, MOR. The structure is spread over an area of over 2,300 square meters, and offers its guests a restaurant, a private beach, a terrace and an outdoor swimming pool furnished with cabins.
Precious churches to visit
Pic by Valerio Carletto
There are some churches that truly deserve a visit during your stay in Griante:
Chiesa Anglicana dell’Ascensione: designed in an eclectic Neo-Romanesque-Neo-Gothic style by the architect Giuseppe Brentano, the church was built to serve a large community of English who moved to the town towards the end of the 19th century.
Chiesa di San Giuseppe in Cadenabbia: the church was built in 1600 by the merchant Carlo Brentano Mezzegra, portrayed together with the Holy Family in the altarpiece preserved there.
Chiesa dei Santi Nabore e Felice: this church dates back to the 17th century. The facade is pretty simple, but internally are preserved several valuable works, including the tondi portraying the Mysteries of the Rosary.
Santuario Della Beata Vergine Delle Grazie in San Martino mount: the sanctuary (dating back to the 16th century) is located 475 meters above the sea level, and from its natural balcony you can enjoy a truly breathtaking view of the three branches of the lake. The legend says that it was a shepherdess in search of water who accidentally found the statue of the Madonna in a cave (today now known as the "Hole of the Madonna”): she brought the wooden statue to the village, but miraculously was found again on the mountain. The sanctuary opens on request on weekends from May to October. Not far from the Sanctuary, a spring drips from the rock wall: it’s called "Fontanino degli Occhi" because pilgrims used its water to ensure eye health.
© Lakeside | See the related photo credits in the article
Looking for a property in Griante or surroundings at Lake Como, Italy?