Madonna del Ghisallo
Santuario della Madonna del Ghisallo
The patron sanctuary of cyclists, with a hilltop chapel hung with champions’ bikes and a bicycle museum next door.
The Madonna del Ghisallo sanctuary sits on a mountain pass about 10 km south of Bellagio, at an altitude of around 754 m. In 1949 it was declared the patron sanctuary of cyclists by the Pope. Inside the small chapel hang bicycles and jerseys donated by legendary riders such as Coppi and Bartali, and there is a memorial statue outside. The neighboring bicycle museum holds hundreds of vehicles and pink jerseys. This is a classic climbing point for the Tour of Lombardy and the Giro d’Italia, and cyclists ride up from Bellagio over about 8.5 km. The chapel is free to enter, and the museum costs about €8.
Opening hours
Church open by day; museum open approx. Mar–Nov
Nearby sights
- Villa Melzi Gardens
- Bellagio
- Sentiero del Viandante
- Villa Carlotta
- Villa del Balbianello
- Villa Monastero
- Varenna
- Castello di Vezio