Monvalle
The lakeside town of Lido di Monvalle is set back in an inlet on Lake Maggiore just 6 km south of Laveno and 19 km from Varese. It has a population of almost 2,000 and is recommended for lovers of water sports, excursions and camping. It has equipped facilities, bathing facilities and shipyards. The urban layout was obviously influenced by the area's natural bent for tourism. There are numerous residential complexes, terraced houses and even small resort villages. The larger Municipality of Monvalle is not far away, in the hinterland.
History of Monvalle
The first known document, which provides a religious aspect of local history, dates back to the year 1035 and is a legal deed of sale. It reveals the existence of a church dedicated to Saints Cosma and Damiano, and a castrum or fortress building. However, Monvallo is described in 1042 within the scope of a donation by Archbishop of Milan Ariberto di Intimiano to the Order of the Decumani.
This is followed over 500 years later by the Historia del Verbano by Brother Paolo Moriggia. It was published in Milan in 1603 and also describes Turro and Cantone. It makes reference to the origin of the name of the town called Monvalle being "due to its mountains (monti) and valleys (valli)”. Historic 13th-century documents indicate the presence in the area of Monvalle of three altars, which could coincide with the existence of small churches or chapels respectively entitled SS. Cosma e Damiano, S. Stefano and SS. Nazaro e Celso. The first parish-church register of baptisms begins in 1564, but S. Stefano became a pastoral church 10 years later on occasion of a pastoral visit by S. Carlo Borromeo, which coincided with Monvalle’s detachment from the Parish Church of Trebbia and its inclusion in the Parish Church of Besozzo.
Things to see in Monvalle
The traces of the ancient medieval castle were visible up until the 19th century, but unfortunately have now been lost. Milanese Archbishop Ariberto donated the manor to the local clergy and it was later used as a patrician residence by the local noble Besozzi family.
The parish church dedicated to Santo Stefano Protomartire was built towards the end of the 1500’s to replace the older Church of SS. Cosma e Damiano. The building underwent considerable renovations after that. The Oratory of S. Nazaro e Celso in the hamlet of Turro is also worth mentioning.
Festivals and fairs in Monvalle
The traditional Sagra dell’alborella (Festival of Bleak) is held during a weekend at the end of June; a sumptuous gastronomic stand with music and dancing is set up on the Lido di Monvalle beach.
