In the centre of Menaggio, on Via Calvi, there is the church of S. Marta, not far from the lake.
Ancient oratory built near the Hospitale dei Tre Magi. From 1791 it was the seat of the Confraternita del SS. Sacramento e Carità del Prossimo. Inside there are valuable paintings of the XVII and XVIII century, medieval stoup and wooden choir. Façade by A. Bravi (1885) with portal and lunette by A. Sibella.
To be observed with attention are the historical bas-reliefs placed outside this small church. One of them is the Roman memorial plaque of Minicio Exorato, an important imperial official of the first century AD. It was found in the lake in front of the Roman walls of Santa Maria, and transferred here in the first half of the sixteenth century by the humanist Francesco Calvi from Menaggio who believed he had found the origin of the town’s toponym in the name Minicio. Another important find is a 15th-century stone arch key with the bas-relief depiction of the castle of Menaggio, which has become the municipal coat of arms.
Inside the church you can also admire a navity in crochet.
The church is usually open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
