The territory of Bellano is located in a strategic position that has influenced its history since Roman times. It dominates the stretch of the lake where it reaches its maximum width and where its three branches come together.
Behind the village rises Mount Muggio, featuring the ancient villages and alpine pastures that make up Val Muggiasca. The area’s name evokes the Italian word for the mooing of cows, and indeed, for centuries this valley has been very important for cattle breeding and the production of milk and cheese. You can discover that story when you visit the impressive Museum of Milk and the History of Muggiasca, or MUU.
There are seven picturesque villages along the valley, connected by easily walkable paths. If you have time, I recommend you visit them and stop to enjoy the splendid panorama from the valley's alpine pastures.
Let’s begin with the village of Bellano.
The residential area is crossed by the Pioverna River which divides the historic village, predominantly medieval in style, from the more modern part.
This very river played a fundamental role in the development of the village. In fact, thanks to the erosion caused by its waters, Bellano is home to one of the most visited tourist attractions: the Orrido di Bellano, a fascinating canyon that I will tell you more about in the next file.
Its waters were crucial, especially for local economic development, between the late 19th century and the end of the 20th century.
You should know, in fact, that already in 1859 the Badoni family of industrialists from Lecco had a rolling mill built near the mouth of the stream, a site for ironworks. In 1866, the Cantoni family took over the structure to start a textile plant, which later became the large Cotonificio Cantoni cotton mill, still clearly visible in Bellano, but no longer in use. Just imagine, as early as 1866, there were 8600 spindles in operation and by the end of the 19th century, around a thousand workers were employed there.
An interesting fact: In addition to the Cotonificio Cantoni, Italy's first textile company listed on the stock exchange in 1872, there were other large textile industries in Bellano in the 20th century.
This is why the village was nicknamed 'the little Manchester of Lario', after the English city that was considered the capital of the 19th-century industrial revolution.
