The picturesque gulf of Lesa is an extraordinary inlet situated on the slopes of Motta Rossa, in the Erno stream delta. When elite tourism began to emerge, prestigious villas were built on once cultivated land, which transformed Lesa and its enchanting hamlets - Villa, Solcio, Comnago and Calogna - into elegant holiday getaways. The ancient centre of Lesa is worth a visit. Visitors will certainly enjoy strolling on the lakeside promenade, with its palaces, porticoes, alleys and the church of San Martino. Behind the neoclassical Villa Stampa, which was Alessandro Manzoni’s holiday home, is the Sala Manzoniana. This small but interesting museum features manuscripts, books and prints by the great writer and his friends, such as the poet Giulio Carcano and the philosopher Antonio Rosmini, with whom he used to talk about art and philosophy while enjoying the lake shore. A pleasant walk towards Belgirate starts in Via Gibertini, and follows a stretch of an ancient Roman road. On the banks of Lake Solcio is a medieval fishing village built around the port. Visitors can admire the Oratory of San Sebastiano from this beautiful position. The Oratory is a small jewel of Romanesque architecture with a gabled façade, an apse with hanging arches and a bell tower with three rows of windows. The scenic hamlets of Comnago and Calogna are starting points for easy hikes with beautiful views.
