Stage 18
Morbegno > Cesano Maderno
Cycling lakeside
From there, the route reaches the eastern shore of Lake Como at Colico, where Forte Montecchio Nord is worth a brief visit. It’s the only Italian military fortification from the Great War to have preserved its original weaponry intact, and it remains one of the best-preserved in Europe. Not far away is the Abbey of Piona, drawing attention with its Romanesque-Gothic cloister from the 13th century. Set at the tip of the Olgiasca peninsula in an untouched natural setting, it’s a rare gem of Lombard Romanesque architecture and evokes a distant, timeless atmosphere.
From the stunning Bellano - ranked among Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages - the route leaves the Lario behind and enters Valsassina, surrounded by towering mountains, most notably the Grigna. It’s also a land of craftsmanship. The area is home to Premana, the heart of Italy’s scissor and cutting tool district, which owes its roots to the region’s ancient iron mines and is today a global leader in its field.
The lakeside promenade of Lecco invites visitors to relax and take in views of the opposite mountains of the Larian Triangle, making it a memorable stop. A stroll through the historic center, rich in noble residences and scenic corners, is not to be missed.
The Palazzo Arese Borromeo
Before reaching the finish line, the route passes through Brianza, a land synonymous with industriousness, known for its top-tier, innovative furniture production, but also blessed with beauty: forests, hills, and small lakes unfold in succession. It’s no coincidence that this territory has been home for centuries to magnificent villas, such as Villa Greppi in Monticello Brianza, surrounded by grand and well-kept gardens.
And it’s another of these grand residences that welcomes the riders at the finish line in Cesano Maderno: Palazzo Arese Borromeo. Built in the 17th century, it is a magnificent example of baroque architecture, filled with frescoes and furnishings that speak to the power and prestige of the family who commissioned it. Surrounded by a vast, centuries-old park, it’s a perfect place for a stroll through history and nature - the ideal spot to await the riders and to discover that Brianza has a deep and noble heart.
