Location
Zelbio lies in the Triangolo Lariano, on the slopes of Monte San Primo, at 802 metres above sea level: it is considered the smallest comune in the province of Como.
History
Its origins are Celtic; the village was an important Roman station in the 2nd century AD, first mentioned in a document from 1275. Part of the fief of Nesso in the Middle Ages under the Crivelli and then the Casnedi, it separated from the Pieve in 1617 and from the comune of Nesso ed Uniti in 1814; temporarily united with Veleso during the Fascist era, it returned to independence in 1948. Tourism grew in the post-war period thanks to the proximity of the Pian del Tivano.
What to see
The parish church of the Conversion of Saint Paul, 17th-century, with an altarpiece by Carlo Innocenzo Carloni.
What to do and excursions
From Zelbio you can easily reach the Pian del Tivano — known for its “giant bench” at sunset with a view of Monte San Primo — and from there the Forcoletta, the Piani di Nesso, up to the peaks of Monte San Primo and Monte Palanzone: a route shared with the dedicated itinerary linked to this page. In the territory are also found the caves of the Tacchi-Zelbio complex.
Getting there
The direct buses from Nesso towards Veleso continue in a few minutes to Zelbio; by car, you also climb up here from the SS583.
Festivities
25 January, Saint Paul, patron saint of Zelbio.