Location
Barni is a small municipality of the Triangolo Lariano, in the northern part of the Vallassina, about twenty minutes from Bellagio.
History
The place name comes from the Celtic “bar” (pasture). Already inhabited in prehistoric times, the area was donated to the monastery of Sant’Ambrogio in Milan by Otto III. On the border with Magreglio stood a castle, now almost entirely gone (a trace of it survives in the place name “Castel di Leves”). Having passed under various feudal families (Ravizza, Visconti, Dal Verme, Sforza, Sfondrati), it was a hamlet of Lasnigo and then of Civenna, becoming an independent municipality again in 1950. In the 20th century it was home to the San Luigi mineral water plant.
What to see
- Church of San Pietro e Paolo: Romanesque style, among the oldest in the Vallassina.
- Parish church of the Annunziata: built in 1621.
What to do
From Barni you can reach the hamlet of Crezzo, with a small pond (a well-preserved little wetland with views of the Grigne and the lake), the Crott del Castel de Leves viewpoint and the Alpe Spessola. Nearby, in Magreglio, is the Sanctuary of Madonna del Ghisallo.
Getting there
By car, follow the SP41 up through the Vallassina. Bus line C35 (Asso-Barni-Civenna-Caglio-Sormano-Bellagio) stops in the village, and a direct connection from Bellagio Lido takes about 37 minutes, Monday to Saturday.
Festivities
29 June — Saints Peter and Paul, patron saints of Barni.
Practical information
For information on local trails: Comunità Montana Triangolo Lariano, Via Vittorio Veneto 16, Canzo — tel. 031.672.000.