The profile of the Resegone, with its “many peaks in a row” that make it resemble a saw (“sega”) — hence its name — is the backdrop that opens The Betrothed and dominates the skyline of Lecco from every corner of the town, including the nearby Basilica di San Nicolò.
History
The Resegone is a mountain of the Orobie Prealps, 1,875 metres high, on the border between the provinces of Lecco and Bergamo. Manzoni evokes it from the very first lines of the novel, never naming it directly but describing it through its distinctive shape: “the Resegone, with its many peaks in a row […] one cannot help but picture a saw”. It is this mountain, seen from Villa Manzoni or from the bell tower of the Basilica di San Nicolò, that gives the novel its famous opening setting: “That branch of the Lake of Como, which turns towards the south…”.
What to see
From the summit and from Piani d’Erna, on the Lecco side, the view stretches over the eastern branch of Lake Como, the plain towards Milan and, on the clearest days, the Alps. On the southern side, in the Erve valley, stands the Rifugio Capanna Alpinisti Monzesi, one of the historic bases for hikes on the mountain.
Getting there
The classic access point from the Lecco side is Piani d’Erna, reached by cable car or by road from Lecco; from here trails lead to the summit and to the Resegone ridge.
Practical information
A hiking route for those with mountain experience, with some equipped stretches along the ridge; for trail conditions and hut opening times, check local sources (CAI, area huts) before setting out.