Holiday apartment in Asso: culture, Lambro Gorge and hiking trails

Asso is the main town of Valassina. At the same time, the town lies in the valley floor of Valassina, just above the Vallategna waterfall, where the Foce stream flows into the Lambro. The Orrido di Asso forms in a narrow, deep gorge of the Lambro River. These three landscape features give a stay in Asso different focal points for planning your days.

Holiday apartment in Asso between nature and local history

The Mulino dei Mauri stands on the Lambro. The rectangular mill building runs parallel to the river, while a diversion channel leads from above to the iron water wheel. Its construction and connection to the watercourse add an illustrative detail to the experience of nature.

Culture and history around Asso

The Chiesa prepositurale di Asso was completed in 1675, consecrated by Cardinal Giuseppe Pozzobonelli on 31 May 1752, and dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, the patron saint of Asso and Valassina. The same church has long housed a tooth relic of Saint Apollonia; on 9 February, a painting of her martyrdom is displayed and the traditional “bacio del dente” ceremony is held.

In the hamlet of Gemù, the Chiesa S. Maria was built at the end of the 16th century at the instigation of Giovanni Antonio Binda. For almost two centuries, it was served by Olivetan monks from Civate. For days focused on culture, this church adds a distinctive connection to one of Asso’s hamlets to the town’s religious history.

Asso’s Roman heritage includes the Roman road discovered in 1794. During earthworks at the sports field and near the Castello di Asso, flint tools typical of the Neolithic period around 3000 BC were found. With its imposing size, the Castello di Asso still dominates the entire town today.

The villas lead into more recent periods: Villa Bertieri was built in the 1920s in the Florentine Eclectic style on the site of a large building called Maldifassa, which may have been of Spanish origin. Villa Oltolina in Scarenna dates from the late 19th century and combines a residential building with an industrial building next to the textile factory of the same name. The Chiesa del santo Crocifisso has a Serliana loggia and numerous frescoes.

Hiking between Asso and Caslino d'Erba

Hiking trails are another focal point. “Tra le cime del Triangolo Lariano” is a circular hiking trail between Asso and Caslino d'Erba. The Asso–Caslino circular trail is classified as moderately difficult, climbs steeply to Monte Barzaghino and includes several sections secured with chains. It descends to the hamlet of Ponte Oscuro in Asso, where there is a drinking fountain. The Sentiero del Giubileo is a trail in Asso. If you are planning outings with children of different ages, you can take the difficulty rating, ascent and sections with chains into account when deciding on a hiking day.

More destinations for your planning

If you would like to discover destinations in addition to Asso, you can also include Arosio, Muronico, Pellio Intelvi, Dizzasco, Valsolda, Turate, Canzo and Rovello Porro in your travel plans.

For the higher-level travel overview: Como.