Lenno

The village of Lenno is famous for the beautiful Villa del Balbianello, situated on the tip of the promontory of the Lavedo and built by Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini in the 17^th century.

The magnificent garden with its candelabrum plane trees is enhanced by a loggia, with breathtaking views over the Isola Comacina on one side and the Tremezzina on the other.

Also worth a visit are, in the main square, the octagonal Baptistery and the parish church of Santo Stefano, built in the 11^th century over a Roman building and decorated with frescoes by Bernardino Luini, one of Leonardo da Vinci's best pupils.

Just above the town is the Cistercian Abbey of Acquafredda, rebuilt in the 17^th century.

The fascist dictator Benito Mussolini and his mistress Claretta Petacci were executed at nearby Giulino di Mezzegra on 28^th April 1945, following their capture the previous day.