In the Lombardy mountains, discovering the villages

Going from Milan to Switzerland for the Passo della Spluga, one must pass to Campodolcino, a small town in Italian territory that seems same as many other villages in the mountains of Lombardy.


But if you stop and inform yourself, you realize that there is a lot to discover among the gray houses and the high mountains:
The M.U.V.I.S., Lake Azzurro, history of 'grapàtt', Ca' Bardassa and the botanical garden.


But let's go in order:
The Muvis is the local museum, in the hamlet of Corti in a beautiful restored building of the '500. The Palace 'Palàzz' in dialect, which houses the museum was originally probably a tavern. The museum shows the history of the valley, the ancient crafts including that of the 'grapàtt' and the historical environments in a very clear and pleasant path.


Campodolcino was an important center as early as the '600 and became an autonomous municipality in 1816, the local economy was based & amp; ograve; on the transport of goods but after the opening of the Piedmontese tunnels, the population had to find other means of support and it was then that in the territory they dedicated themselves to the production of spirits. The grapàtts became skillful and famous and their grappa were renowned in Northern Italy.


The Ca' Bardassa in Fraciscio is also a restored building and is managed by Muvis, it is a typical rural building in which all the original environments have been preserved. Also in the same hamlet you can also visit the Botanical Garden, near the church of S. Rocco. There you will find all the plants in the valley, from buckwheat, mallow and carnations.


In the hamlet Motta you can go and admire the beautiful Lake Azzurro. It's a lovely pond very special because it's almost seasonal. It is fed by the underground groundwater that fills with rain water and melting snow.