There is a good deal of rivalry between Lecco and Como.
The two cities are about the same size, but, while Como is more historically interesting (and as most unbiased observers would maintain, more elegant), Lecco is, without doubt, more dramatically sited, beside the lake’s only out flowing river and below the steep slopes of Mount Coltignone to the northwest and Mount Resegone to the east.
The town lies entirely on the lake’s eastern shore and is reached from the west by two bridges that span the River Adda.
Alessandro Manzoni set his novel "I Promessi Sposi" ("The Betrothed") here; mementoes of his life can be found in his childhood home, Villa Manzoni.