Cernobbio: The lake and an ancient village between villas and art

Tourism, culture, events, nature and historical point of interest. This is Cernobbio, one of the most enchanting places of the Lario. Through this simple itinerary, it is possible to discover the historical centre and the area on the lake, known as “Riva” of Cernobbio and the architectural and artistic elements located here.

Points of interest

• Villa Bernasconi: example of Art Nouveau style architecture, it houses an interactive museum where the villa itself tells its own stories, those of the Bernasconi family and the weaving mills of the same name (www.villabernasconi.eu).



• Silk Citadel: site of industrial textile archaeology, you can see the old chimneys and the buildings that once were home to industrial productions, administrative offices and residential buildings wanted mainly by the entrepreneur Davide Bernasconi.



• Villa Erba: home of the famous director Luchino Visconti, it was built in the 19th century. It can be visited only on special occasions and has a wonderful centuries-old park and elegant interiors.



• Risorgimento Square and the Pier: the famous “Riva” of Cernobbio, the most frequented area by tourists, hosts the liberty style pier, the war memorial and another monument dedicated to Giuseppe Garibaldi, as well as a fountain built during 1900.



• Church of San Vincenzo: a few steps from the Riva, it was built in medieval times and renovated in 1700; it stands out for the bright colors of the facade, in Baroque style
• Casa Cattaneo: built by the homonymous architect Cesare Cattaneo, it stands out from the surrounding buildings for the rationalist style that determines its structure characterized by simple and regular lines.



• Oratory of S. Maria delle Grazie: located in Piazza Belinzaghi, it amazes for the beauty of the frescoes that decorate it
• Villa d’Este: built as a convent in 1442, today it houses one of the most beautiful luxury hotels in the world.

• Oratory of the B.V. del Carmine: situated in the area of Stimianico, once there was only a chapel, later demolished and rebuilt as it is today in 1923.
• Villa Pizzo: built in the first half of the 19th century on the promontory of the same name, Villa Pizzo has been in the course of time owned by several Italian and European noble families and today is an exclusive location for private or corporate events, with a beautiful garden and a boathouse.

Indication of public transport to reach Cernobbio

• By car
  From Milan: motorway Milano – Laghi A9, direction Como – Chiasso. Exit: “Lago di Como” (the last one in Italy before arriving in Switzerland)
  From Switzerland: motorway A2 direction Como – Milano. Exit “Lago di Como”
• By train
  You can reach Como from Milan or Switzerland (Ferrovie Nord, Ferrovie dello Stato, Tilo) and then go to Cernobbio by bus or boat
• By bus
  From Como or the Upper Lake (Asf), bus line ASF C10 (Como – Menaggio – Colico). Departures approximately every hour.
• By boat
  From Como or the Upper Lake via @Navigazione Lago di Como. Stop “Cernobbio”.

Car Directions and parking

We recommend to park at the car park of Villa Erba.

Information material

Map: The lake and an ancient village between villas and art

Depliant: The lake and an ancient village between villas and art