- CHIESE, SANTUARI, LUOGHI E PERCORSI SACRI
Leggiuno
The Lombard Municipality of Leggiuno is on the eastern shore of Lake Maggiore between Ispra and Laveno, and is mainly located on hilly land. The town centre is not on the lakeside, rather in the hinterland, and includes several hamlets characterised by their many woods and wooded paths.
History of Leggiuno
The origin of the name Leggiuno appears to come from leze dunum, which translated from Celtic means “at the foot of the hill”.
The area was most likely uninhabited during the Prehistoric period due to the presence of large glaciers, however ruins of pile-dwellings and various fragments ascribable to the Neolithic period were found near the border with Laveno Mombello. Traces of Roman occupation were also discovered, including two memorial stones and tombstones dedicated to divinities. However, there are no traces of the barbarian domination. It’s a well-known fact that the plague in the 17th century hit the town hard, which only became an important town again starting in the 1800’s.
Leggiuno: Santa Caterina hermitage
Reno, a hamlet in Leggiuno, is home to one of the most popular tourist destinations on Lake Maggiore: charming and fascinating Santa Caterina del Sasso hermitage. The town, which is aware of this facility’s unique beauty – has made it the symbol of the city and municipal coat of arms.
Its peculiarity comes from the fact that it was built as though almost clinging to a steep rock, vertically above the lake. Legend has it that the hermitage was founded by a dissolute man in the culminating moment of his conversion.
Since 2010, Santa Caterina hermitage – which could only be accessed by boat or a tiring flight of steps from the farmstead above the rocky ridge – has also become accessible by a lift positioned in a well and a tunnel directly dug out from the rock. Works to improve the accessibility of this diamond set between the lake and rock took approximately 3 years.
The Church of SS. Primo e Feliciano located in the centre of Leggiuno is also worth visiting.
Accommodations in Leggiuno
If you would like to visit these beautiful places and experience the irresistible charm of the hermitage, take a look at the local hotels and start planning your trip!
