A GLIMPSE

OF THE VILLAGE

Below the churchyard of the Church of Madonna del Ronco we encounter a tunnel, dug for military purposes, dating back to World War I.
There are three similar tunnels in the surrounding area: in Sondrio, in Menaggio, and, indeed, in Brienno.
The "Puncett Tunnel" (the name comes directly from the place name of the town where it is located) was an integral part of the northwestern line of defense, the so-called "Cadorna Line," which was meant to block any invasions from the north.
The name of the construction is related to the dynamics of its functioning: in the event of an invasion, in fact, the tunnel, filled with explosives, would be detonated, thus leading to the collapse of the road above.

The idea from which the public park was created lies in the principles of revaluing the area and improving the quality of life of the inhabitants of the village. In a few square meters, an area has been created that includes a green space, a children's playground, a solarium and a multipurpose space aimed at organizing various types of events.
The project won first prize in the national competition "Public Administrations and Public Spaces."

A highlight of the village is the area where the harbor and the old silk mill stand next to each other.
The latter, built in the first half of the 19th century to meet the demand for silk was active until the 1930s, since the 1960s belonged to the Mantero family, which converted it for housing purposes and event venues. The outline of the old, now extinguished smokestack, silhouetted against the blue sky, is tremendously evocative and brings to mind images of a world gone by.

Now a splendid mansion, it boasts a unique history and charm compared to other properties on the lake. The old spinning mill is located between the modern pier and the Rola harbor.
This is the old factory in Brienno dedicated to silk production.
Until the 1930s, it was one of the main manufacturing activities in the village of Brienno.

Brienno is a magical place, carved into the rocks between water and sky, between lake and mountains.
Stone alleys make Brienno one of the most beautiful villages on Lake Como

The heart of its charm is a succession of narrow streets with ever-changing gradients, the so-called "risciade," dominated by stone bricks, populated with ancient lanterns, arches, underpasses, and steps, punctuated by less illuminated corners that suddenly give way to the blue of the lake.

The Church of the Madonna del Ronco or Church of the Immaculate Madonna is located in an extremely panoramic position on a rocky outcrop overlooking the lake, in a unique atmosphere thanks to the truly evocative scenery that allows the gaze to sweep from Como to Tremezzina.
The area is colloquially called Puncett by the inhabitants of Brienno; it is the only church in the village oriented along the south-north axis and with the apse facing north, by virtue of the unique geographic conformation of the Punta di Ronca on which it was built.

The ancient little church of San Vittore, or Sant'Anna, located not far from the historic center, seems to dare il benvenuto a chi transita verso Brienno, arrivando da Como.

Church of Sant'Anna was formerly dedicated to St. Victor and has kept the double name.
According to some scholars, its origins predate the year 1000, making it considered among the oldest churches in Lombardy.

The Mausoleo Comitti is the grave of the family of the same name that owns the company specializing in the production of high-precision clocks, barometers and thermometers.
The mausoleum was desired in the early 20th century by Luigi Fedele Comitti to celebrate the figure of his father Honoratus Ferdinand Comitti (1819-1887).

Luigi, born in Brienno in 1851 migrated as soon as he was 14 to London to join his father in the family workshop specialized in the manufacture of thermometers, barometers and handcrafted clocks of the highest quality and precision.