Civate has a Benedictine abbey in two parts: San Calocero, in the town, and San Pietro al Monte, at about 650 metres on the slope of the Cornizzolo, which can only be reached on foot in about an hour. The basilica holds a cycle of frescoes and stucco of the Apocalypse described as among the most important in Lombardy, but the climb has its rules: suitable shoes, opening hours that change with the season and a guided visit by volunteers that must be booked. Here the climbs, the parking, the hours and the rest of the day are set out in order.
The three climbs
The association Amici di San Pietro al Monte, which looks after the basilica, indicates three paths, all with a GPX track on its site.
| Path | Start | Climb | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 (main) | località Pozzo or Valle dell’Oro | about 350 m | 60 minutes |
| 11 and 7 | from località Pozzo, passing through Linate | about 300 m | 60 minutes |
| 7, the Tre Casott loop | Valle dell’Oro | about 400 m in all | 90 minutes |
The association recommends walking boots or trekking shoes.
Getting to Civate
Those arriving by car can leave it in via del Rii, via Cerscera, via Abate Longoni (paid at weekends and on public holidays) or via Broggi; buses stop in via Baselone. In the satnav it is best to enter one of these car parks or «Civate», never the abbey: Google Maps does not lead to the right path.
By public transport, from Lecco the C40 bus runs (Lecco-Erba-Como), with a convenient stop at Civate-Paese-Municipio; from Milan the S7 railway line (Monza-Molteno-Lecco) reaches Civate station.
First, the town: San Calocero
In the old town stands San Calocero, the abbey’s other church: it has a cycle of Old Testament frescoes in the attic, a Romanesque crypt and the remains of the eleventh-century cloister. We have not found an up-to-date official source on hours and access to the attic and the crypt: it is best to ask at the parish. The complex still houses a care home.
At the top: San Pietro al Monte
The basilica of San Pietro al Monte is a single-nave Romanesque building with two opposing apses, with frescoes and stucco inspired by the Apocalypse, a crypt and, beside it, the oratory of San Benedetto. Inside, the central ciborium has stucco high reliefs with episodes from the life of Jesus.
Hours, according to the association:
| Period | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|
| March-October | 10-12.30 and 14-16, guided visits from 10.30 | 10-12.30 and 14-16, guided visits from 11.30 |
| November-February | by booking only | 10-12.30 and 14-15, guided visits from 11.30 |
It is closed on Mondays; from Tuesday to Friday you can enter only by booking, subject to the volunteers available. It is open on Epiphany, 25 April, Easter Monday, 1 May, Ferragosto and Saint Stephen’s Day; it is closed at Christmas, New Year, Holy Saturday, Easter and All Saints. The 10.30 mass is certain only on the first Sunday of each month.
The guided visit is led by volunteers and booking it is compulsory; offerings fund the restoration. Inside you can take photographs without flash for personal use.
To go further: Cornizzolo and Rifugio Marisa Consigliere
From Civate a hiking route leads to the Rifugio Marisa Consigliere, at 1,050 metres, in about two hours and 800 metres of climb (Rifugi di Lombardia portal); above it is Monte Cornizzolo, at 1,241 metres. The manager writes that they do not take lunch bookings, and the opening dates are indicative: at the start and end of the season it is best to phone before climbing.
Practical information
- The basilica can only be reached on foot: count about an hour for the climb, plus the time of the guided visit.
- The most convenient day is Saturday or Sunday from March to October, with a guided visit booked beforehand; on weekdays you book by phone or email by noon the day before, at the weekend on the association’s site until midnight the day before.
- From November the hours get shorter, and on 1 November, All Saints, the basilica is closed.
- To reach Civate by train or car see also the guide Getting to Lake Como.
Sources
- Amici di San Pietro al Monte, Hours and Where we are, the association’s official site
- Lombardia Beni Culturali, Abbazia di Civate and Chiesa di S. Pietro al Monte
- in-Lombardia, Basilica di San Pietro al Monte
- The pages of the individual places on this site, with their own sources.