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Gravedona ed Uniti

Santi Gusmeo e Matteo, Gravedona

The church above Gravedona built in 1248 where tradition places the two saints' martyrdom, with the vault painted by the Fiammenghino in 1606.

Visit duration
15–30 min
Booking
Not required
Area
Centro Lago
The stone church with its arched porch and bell tower, on the cobbled square, in a panoramic shot.Kaitu · CC0
  • Witch of the west · Public domain
  • Kaitu · CC0

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The stone church with its arched porch and bell tower, on the cobbled square, in a panoramic shot.

Kaitu · CC0

Why go

The church of Santi Gusmeo e Matteo stands above the village, on the spot where, according to tradition, the two saints were martyred and where a church dedicated to San Fedele stood before.

It was built in 1248, inspired by Santa Maria del Tiglio but smaller and plainer, and enlarged in 1533. In 1606 Giovanni Mauro Della Rovere, the Fiammenghino, painted the “God the Father in Glory” among music-making angels, still well preserved; his too are the three great canvases in the choir, with the preaching, the martyrdom and the recovery of the saints' bodies. The relics, found in 1593 by Bishop Ninguarda, have rested since 1637 in an urn of white marble under the high altar. The sacristy dates from 1609, the bell tower from 1616–17, the porch with the main door from 1700. The two martyrs are remembered every 11 September.

  • The vault painted by the Fiammenghino, with God the Father among music-making angels.
  • With Santa Maria del Tiglio and San Vincenzo, Gravedona's third old church.

Highlights

  • The Fiammenghino's “God the Father in Glory”
  • The three choir canvases of the two martyrs
  • The white marble urn under the altar

Getting there

  • Above the centre of Gravedona, near Santa Maria delle Grazie: from the lakefront walk up through the village streets.

Accessibility

  • The church is reached from the centre of Gravedona by a cobbled flight of steps; the route, which carries on uphill to Santa Maria delle Grazie, is unsuitable for disabled visitors because of its steps and steep stretches.

On the map

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Gravedona ed UnitiDomasoSanti Gusmeo e Matteo, Gravedona

© OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbL

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Sources and credits

Verified at source9 Oct 2026North Lake Comoopens in a new tab

Sources and credits

Verified at source9 Oct 2026North Lake Comoopens in a new tab