Discover Griante

Church of San Martino

The Church of San Martino stands 475 metres above sea level on a natural terrace with panoramic views of Lake Como and the surrounding mountains.

This small votive church, dedicated to the saint who shared his cloak with a poor man, dates to the late sixteenth century.

It can be reached by a pleasant walk-through woods and meadows. The path, though short yet demanding, rewards visitors with a deep sense of peace and contemplation upon arrival.

Villa Maresi

Surrounded by a crenelated wall, Villa Maresi is a historic lakeside house set within a lush park stretching between Griante and Cadenabbia, at the foot of San Martino Rock.

The villa’s structure evokes a medieval castle. It was built between 1895 and 1905 on the ruins of an ancient manor that had once been part of a fortification complex.

The first owner, industrialist Pompeo Maresi, commissioned engineer Giacomo Mantegazza to restore it. Following the client’s request, Mantegazza travelled to Britain to study the Neo-Gothic style, that now defines the villa.

The park, visible from the lakeside, features centuries-old trees, statues and hidden paths.

Anglican Church of the Ascension

Located in the heart of Cadenabbia, a hamlet of Griante, the Anglican Church of the Ascension was built in 1891 by the British community that frequented the area.

It was the first Anglican church in Italy.

Its architectural style reflects late fifteenth-century Lombard design: a single nave with large transverse arches, a rose window on the façade, decorative arches beneath the eaves, and spires crowning the supporting pillars.

Today, it remains a place of worship and hosts musical and cultural events.

Adenauer Promenade

A charming panoramic path along the lakeshore between Griante and Tremezzo.

Named after German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, the promenade offers magnificent views of the lake, Bellagio and the surrounding mountains.

The route is lined with historic villas, manicured gardens and centuries-old trees, making it enchanting in every season.

Along the way, one crosses memorial plaques that tell of the link between the lake and the personalities who have frequented it over time.

A highlight is Villa La Collina, which was Konrad Adenauer’s summer residence and hosted heads of State from around the world. It is said that the idea of a united Europe was first conceived in this place.

Church of Saints Nabore and Felice

Perched on a small promontory overlooking the village, this church is Griante’s parish church.

It is characterised by its elegant neoclassical façade and slender bell tower.

The present building dates back to the eighteenth century, and it is constructed on the site of an earlier Romanesque church.

Inside, a single nave with two side chapels and two transepts houses several remarkable works of art, including an altarpiece depicting the Assumption of Mary, two paintings dedicated to Saints Nabore and Felice — two Berber mercenaries who reached Milan and were martyred in 303 — and a fourteenth-century fresco fragment of the Adoration of the Magi.

Its serene location and peaceful atmosphere make the church a cherished place for both worshippers and visitors. Traditional religious festivals involving the local community are celebrated here throughout the year.