Holiday apartment in Malgrate: Lake, culture and Monte Barro

Malgrate combines a lakeside location with historical traces and varied landscapes. The historic centre is right on the water and preserves ancient villas and historic buildings.

Lakeside promenade with views of Lecco

Malgrate’s lakeside promenade includes a continuous footpath with terraced levels. Since 2013, it has been a large garden accessible to everyone. From here, you can look out over Lecco with its bell tower known as the “Matitone”, the Resegone and San Martino, as well as across the lake. The promenade also has cycle paths used for cycling and sporting activities.

The connection to Lecco is also useful for getting your bearings locally: Lecco’s historic centre can be reached on foot from Malgrate in fifteen minutes. From Malgrate, kayak and canoe rental routes also offer views of the Lecco landscape. This means that by the water you will find various opportunities for peaceful walks, exercise and activities on the lake.

Monte Barro and paths through nature

The Monte Barro Regional Park includes, among others, the municipalities of Galbiate, Garlate, Lecco, Malgrate, Oggiono, Pescate and Valmadrera. In Malgrate, Pian Sciresa lies on the eastern slopes of Monte Barro. The large karst plateau is located in a forest of Scots pines and black pines and offers a viewpoint overlooking Lago di Lecco, the Resegone and the Grigne.

Pian Sciresa can be reached from Via Pian Sciresa via a short footpath. A varied and interesting path also crosses the Bosco del Faée, the dampest and wildest area of the park. These different landscapes make Malgrate appealing if, when choosing your accommodation, you want to consider nature trails and lake views alongside cultural attractions.

Historic buildings and cultural traces

Malgrate’s origins date back to Roman times; at that time, the place was known as Antesitum. Before the Azzone Bridge over the Adda River was built between 1336 and 1338, Malgrate had its own port connecting the two shores. In the 1920s, a ferry service operated here, later replaced by the Kennedy Bridge in the 1950s.

Several buildings illustrate the town’s more recent history. The Cappella dei morti alla Crocetta was built in 1630 in memory of the many victims of the plague. Casa Reina Stabilini dates from the first decades of the 18th century. Palazzo Agudio acquired its present form between 1770 and 1780, when the Agudio family connected several buildings in their possession; they commissioned the design from the architect Bovara.

Palazzo Agudio-Consonni served as a prestigious literary and political meeting place for members of the Accademia dei Trasformati. According to Francesco Reina, who came from Malgrate, Giuseppe Parini wrote the poem Il Mattino in Palazzo Agudio-Consonni. At the Sopportico Parini, there is a reproduction of Massimo Campigli’s 1937 painting La spiaggia; the passage is open to pedestrians on the ground floor.

The hall of the Ex Filanda Bovara-Reina continues to be used for exhibitions, fairs and other cultural activities organised by the municipality and other institutions. In the Parco della Rimembranza on Malgrate’s lakeside promenade, there is a monument to the fallen of the First World War, surrounded by numerous cypress trees. Thus, in addition to experiences in nature and by the water, the town offers concrete opportunities to engage with its history and culture.

More destinations for your planning

If you would like to include additional destinations in your travel plans alongside Malgrate, you can also explore Casatenovo, Imbersago, Vercurago, Oggiono, Onno, Fiumelatte, Calolziocorte and Merate.

For the higher-level travel overview: Lecco.