Excursion to Val Perlana: Monastery of San Benedetto
Itinerary: 5 hours
Val Perlana is an alpine valley located in the province of Como.
The Perlana torrent that unites the towns of Lenno and Ossuccio with Mount Galbiga.
The abbey of Val Perlana
The Romanesque abbey of S. Benedetto is a monastic complex probably founded a few years before 1083.
Towards the end of 1200 the Benedictines left these buildings to move to Sala Comacina.
The abbey started towards a progressive degradation and in 1785 it was overtaken.
The first restorations of the church date back to 1958.
The interior of the church is divided into three naves with apses and pillars.
The bell tower rises in the right corner of the building. Inside it was preserved an ancient monolithic holy-water font with floral decorations which unfortunately was stolen.
A traditional festival is held in the Church on the first of May in which many people participate.
Itinerary
Leaving the Strada Regina, go up to Ossuccio, leaving the car in one of the small parking lots that meet up towards the upper part of the town. The last parking lot is located near the third chapel of the Via Crucis for the Madonna del Soccorso.
From this point you have to proceed on foot along the wide and steep cobbled street that reaches the Madonna del Soccorso. After the church, continue along the steep road to the houses of Preda 520 m.
From here the path becomes softer.
Leaving the meadows, you enter the woods that will never leave you until San Benedetto. Initially the route takes place with a long half-coast, followed by some up and downs to end with a final climb.
For the return we recommend taking the wide mule track that runs along the opposite side of the valley. From S. Benedetto take a path that descends towards the stream, cross a bridge and then climb to reach a wide mule track. Holding the right hand the descent begins.
The route takes place on a beautiful cobblestone that ends at the abbey of Acquafredda.
Continue down the paved road until you see a sign that indicates on the right the possibility to cross the Perlana torrent on a narrow carriage bridge.
After the bridge, you will meet the first of the great chapels of the Rosary. going up and going to the right you pass the other chapels and go back to the car.
