San Fedele Intelvi: Churches, Trails and Culture in the Intelvi Valley

In the Intelvi Valley, San Fedele Intelvi combines cultural and historical attractions with trails through a predominantly rural landscape. In Centro Valle Intelvi, in the San Fedele district, the Percorso dei Totem Poetici leads to five sites of historical, poetic and scenic significance. The wooden outdoor totems were created by wood sculptor Luca Galli “Verna” and give the trail a distinctive artistic character.

Churches and Art between San Fedele and Its Districts

Among the notable religious buildings is the Chiesa di Sant’Antonio Abate. Its façade is made of neatly hewn, carefully fitted local natural stone. The original Romanesque church was built in the second half of the 12th century. In the San Fedele Superiore district, there is also the small Oratorio di Santa Liberata, dating from the 18th century. The oratory has a gabled façade from the 19th century; inside is an altarpiece of the Immaculate Conception by Carlo Carloni.

The Chiesa di San Rocco contains a cycle of monochrome frescoes from the late 18th century.

Erbonne, Monte San Zeno and Grotta dell’Orso

The Piccolo Museo della Guardia di Finanza e del Contrabbando opened on 23 June 2002 in Erbonne, a district of San Fedele Intelvi in the Province of Como. It displays memorabilia relating to the history of the Guardia di Finanza and smuggling in this area. The exhibition can be viewed from outside through a pane of glass in front of the entrance and through side windows.

For walks with a historical connection to the landscape, there is the mule track to Erbonne. The trail reaches Erbonne after approximately one hour and 20 minutes. Along the route are nevere, which were formerly used to store food, as well as old rural stone houses. An easy trail of about one hour leads from Pian delle Alpi to Monte San Zeno. The small church on Monte San Zeno was already a pilgrimage destination in the Middle Ages.

The Grotta dell’Orso can be reached on foot via a trail starting from Orimento. From June to September, you can park your car in San Fedele or Casasco, take the shuttle to Orimento and then continue on foot to the Grotta dell’Orso. Access to Pian delle Alpi by car is described as a route from Piazza G. B. Carminati in San Fedele via Casasco and the road towards Erbonne.

Directions and Events

For travel to the Intelvi Valley, scheduled buses from the FFSS and Ferrovie-Nord railway stations in Como are listed as an option. The Centro Valle Intelvi tourist office provides visitors with information, maps and recommendations for planning their holiday in Centro Valle Intelvi. The devices have been removed from the route.

The former fitness trail led from Casa Vacanze to Centro Valle Intelvi, in the San Fedele district, and consisted of two loops with a shared section.

The 12th edition of I Beni della Terra has been announced in Centro Valle Intelvi for Sunday, 13 September 2026. The event is intended to promote the area and its agricultural traditions.

Further destinations: Sala Comacina, Fino Mornasco, Pellio Intelvi, Faggeto Lario, Albese Con Cassano, Uggiate-Trevano, Cusino, Torno.

For the broader travel overview: Como.