Gravedona ed Uniti

Palazzo Gallio

Visit duration: 20–40 min
Booking: Not required
Area: Upper Lake

Torsade de Pointes · CC0

Witch of the west · Public domain
Torsade de Pointes · CC0

Why go

Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio had it built from 1586 on a rocky promontory between the mountains and the lake, and adorned it with gardens, fountains and pools.

The design is attributed to Pellegrino Tibaldi; the palace was finished after 1607, the year the cardinal died. It has four towers at the corners and a loggia in the middle of the lake front. Today it belongs to the Comunità Montana, which has its seat here: the great central hall hosts exhibitions, concerts and conferences, with the offices and the municipal library around it.

The four towers on their spur of rock can be seen from the boat as it comes into Gravedona.
Six minutes from the pier; Santa Maria del Tiglio is at the other end of the village, a quarter of an hour on foot.

Highlights

The facade with its loggia between the four towers
The spur of rock over the lake
The central hall, open for exhibitions and concerts
The view from the boat

Getting there

From the Gravedona pier, six minutes on foot along the lake.

Accessibility

The loggia is reached by eleven steps or by a platform lift beside the staircase. A lift links the palace's three floors, and the adapted toilet is on the lower floor. From the private car park a gently sloping path leads in without steps.