San Domenico

This small circular walk of just 3 km leads to the little chapel of S. Domenico (806 m) which stands straight over the lake. From it you have a spectacular view of the lake and the surrounding mountains. From the chapel a path leads through the woods to the Santuario della Madonna di Breglia.

Description

From the bus stop in Breglia continue straight on to the parking area on the right side of the church of S. Gregorio. A wide cart-track starts off from here to the right, which leads first level and then slightly uphill to a bifurcation. Keep to the left and follow the cart track that runs around the hillock, through the chestnut woods, to the chapel of San Domenico. The view embraces the whole central lake area with the towns Menaggio dominated by Monte Crocione 81640 m), Bellagio with Monte San Primo (1682 m) and the Corni di canzi (the two horns of Canzo) and varenna towered over by the Grigne (2410 m).
From the chapel you follow the cart track through the woods, which ends up at a big pasture. You cross the pasture on the track to the left and you find yourself right at the beginning of the steps, which lead up the Santuario della Madonna di Breglia. Along the cobbled steps leading to the Sanctuary you find some of the 14 granite stations of “I Misteri del Rosario”. Inside the church there is a marble statue of the Virgin Mary which has been venerated for more than two centuries. It was kept in a modest oratory until, in 1777, the present church was built. From the Sanctuary you follow the easy lane to the center of Breglia.
Near the bus stop of Breglia you can see a Roman tomb dating back to the VI c. It was custom in the Roman Age to place tombs along the main roads to keep the memory of the deceased alive. In fact the old roman road, “L’antica Strada Regina”, one of the main connecting roads with the alpine passes, used to pass by Breglia. It lost its importance when the shorter passage over Sasso Rancio, between Menaggio and Acquaseria, was opened.