Almost too hard to miss when beginning your street hiking in Brunate…read more 14th century build ~ unbelievable how this was constructed so long ago atop of the mountain. The sanctuary design still has you feel awe & peace when taking a moment of pause. An amazing presence for the neighborhood.

Of the three churches in Morcote, this one is my favourite. The building is pierced by one of the…read morestreets connecting downtown with the residential quarters, and you need to go up only around 100 steps (25% of what you need to reach Santa Maria del Sasso, further up). Just take the Strecia di Sant Antoni or the Scarinada Giacomo Rossi, both easily found, and follow them until you stumble with the Volton. You cannot enter the church itself, but just contemplate the wonderful frescoes from the outside. The street allows you to sit down protected from the elements. Ideal place to meditate!

Spoiler: you walk a lot of stairs…read more The church has a quite impressive (for such a small village like Morcote) inside, which is baroque in style but, according the omniscient Wikipedia, the building's origins are mediaeval. I am more romanesque, so I prefer the smaller and humbler Sant' Antonio Abate chapel (which also is more easily reached). In front of it, there's also the Battisterio, with a small lantern tower delicately decorated with frescoes. Also, there's a public defibrillator nearby because, as I already warned you, you will have to go up almost 400 steps. And it hurts. But the views over the lake and Porto Ceresio are worth it. Pro tip: there's a dirt track behind the battisterio, opposite to downtown, that is less excruciating.

This church is the example of the Roman-Lombard art, built almost a thousand of years ago by the…read moreMasters of Como, with a polychrome wooden sculpture of the Buried Christ of the Spanish-Baroque school. It has sort of stylish vibe and would be interesting to check out, and I enjoyed exploring this church during the visit at Bellagio.

Gayle and I paid a respectful visit here during our recent walking tour of Bellagio. This Church is…read morea fine example of 12th Century Roman-Lombard art and was built between 1075 and 1125 by the Masters of Como. The inside mosaics are most impressive to behold.