Montevecchia
Montevecchia is a small village in Lecco province, between Milan and the city of Lecco, in northern Italy.
Understand
[edit]Montevecchia is most renowned for its cosy historical center, Montevecchia alta, which lies on the top of a tall hill offering great views on the entire Po Plain. For this reason it's known as the Tetto della Brianza (Brianza's rooftop)
The hill it also stands in the middle of the Parco Regionale di Montevecchia e della Valle del Curone, a green and quiet oasis in the middle of the busy and noisy Brianza.
Get in
[edit]By car
[edit]You can reach Montevecchia by car from Milan (about 45 minutes), take the A51 (tangenziale est) motorway northward up to Agrate, then continue toward Lecco until you reach Cernusco Lombardone, then turn left toward Montevecchia.
Be aware that in sunny days it can become overcrowded and park your car can become a difficult task.
By train
[edit]You can also reach the park by train, from Milano to Cernusco-Lombardone/Merate station, but it's a bit far from the park border and the first part of the journey can be boring. Take a map with you, the path to the park border is not always well marked.
Once you are inside the park, you can reach the top of the hill if you don't mind to climb a bit.
Get around
[edit]The park and the village is best enjoyed by foot or by bike.
Few paths are forbidden to bikers, to prevent erosion damages. Check the signs before taking a path with your bike.
See
[edit]Montevecchia alta is worth a visit to enjoy spectacular views over the po' plain. You can spot Milan skyscrapers in the distance, and even the Appennines on the other side of the plain if the weather is particularly good (best view are in sunny and windy days, unfortunately Milan's smog usually pollute the view).
Just stroll around the old village, the center is forbidden to cars.
In the main plaza you can spot Villa Agnesi, here the great Italian matematician Maria Gaetana Agnesi lived for a while. The villa is privately owned and it is not accessible.
Climb to the highest point of the village, the Santuario della Beata Vergine del Carmelo. On Sunday the terrace is opened for free.
Do
[edit]The Curone park is a quiet place with many well maintained paths good for walking, MTB or just some relax in the sun.
The park offers facilities for picnic at the Ca' del soldato structure. Be aware that this is a favourite spot for locals and can be crowded on sunny days, especially during summer weekends.
Ca' del soldato also hosts a little museum, about the local flora and fauna. The museum is free and kept opened by volunteers, it's open on Saturnday and Sunday.
Buy
[edit]The park is a well established (although not famous) wine zone, and famous goat cheeses (formaggini di Montevecchia) are also made inside the park.
Wine bottles can be bought at various locations. You can also buy fresh cheese, but keep in mind that it should be kept refrigerated and doesn't last long.
- Latteria Maggioni Amabile, Via Alta Collina, 27, ☏ +39 039 993 0382. Fresh Montevecchia cheese, butter, yoghurt and other dairy products.
Eat
[edit]Restaurants can be found in Montevecchia. Traditional cuisine, usually in agritourism is offered in the park.
- Agriturismo La Costa, Via Curone, 15 23888 Perego (Lc), ☏ +39 039 53 122 18, ristorante@la-costa.it. Typical agritourism, located in and old hayloft totally renewed. Local cuisine. Also offers wine buying
- Oasi di Galbusera Bianca, Via Galbusera Bianca 2, Località Monte, 23888 Rovagnate, Lc, Italy, ☏ +39 039 57 03 51, info@oasigalbuserabianca.it. Agritourism, located in and old farmstead. Specialized in organic and sustainable food.
- Il ritrovo, Via Agnesi, 5, 23874, Montevecchia, ☏ +39 039 9151180. Cosy small pub in the centre of Montevecchia alta. Local wines, cold cuts and local cheese. Great view (if the balcony is open)