Magreglio, Santuario Madonna del Ghisallo

In the municipality of Magreglio, about 30 km from Como, there is the characteristic Shrine of the “Madonna del Ghisallo”, patron saint of cyclists. The church was built in the XVII century and within its walls it safeguards important trophies and souvenirs donated by the greatest champions on two wheels. A picture, which shows the “Virgin breastfeeding”, is greatly revered. Initially it was a fresco, but it was transferred to canvas during the last century. Outside the Shrine there is a monument commemorating Fausto Coppi. From Belvedere there is a splendid view of the Lecco branch of the lake which links up with the Grigne in the background and all of the High Lake area. Next to the Shrine, the Cycling Museum has recently been inaugurated with a rich historical archive, a video library and a computer programme to simulate the routes of the races and cycling paths.