For lovers of mysterious atmospheres and falconry demonstrations, here is the perfect trip: the Ancient Castle of Vezio.
A particular attraction of Lake Como that I would like to recommend, especially if you have children, is the Vezio Castle: it is located a few minutes by car above Varenna, The property is 25 km from Lecco and about 90 km from Milan.
How to reach the Castle of Vezio
Despite being privately owned, it is visitable and open to the public for most of the year, usually from March to November. You can get on by car (about 15 minutes) following the signs for Vezio Castle: we parked for free at the "Wayfarer's parking"From where we continued on foot for about 10/15 minutes, along the paved road until we found the typical restaurant"The Portichetto“; from there continue to the right and, following the signs, you will find yourself in Piazza della Chiesa with the cemetery on the right.
Where to buy tickets
Beyond the cemetery, take the road on the right that continues upwards and at the end of this road you will find a small kiosk where you can refresh yourself with simple hot sandwiches or toast, the toilets and the bar where you can buy entrance tickets (adults 4 Euro, half for children up to 12 years old).
NB: for those who have a stroller it is not the best: better carry the baby on the shoulder or in the baby carrier.
Experience suitable for girls and boys
Among owls, falconers, armor in the castle and ghosts, children will be projected into a magical and fantastic world, with an ancient flavor. At the beginning of the gravel drive, they will immediately find the eagle owl named Arthur, one of the most unique and magnificent birds of prey in the world, which can photograph but without flash.
Continuing along the avenue they will see some strange wooden statues, the work of a local artist, while further on one of the most beautiful scenarios in our area will open: a panorama on Lake Como with the Ossuccio Peninsula. The peculiarity of this place lies in the presence of a balustrade that will make you realize you are overlooking Varenna, but not only!
To act as models, your children will find very nice ones ghosts posing which, with the background of the lake, contribute to give a sense of mystery to the place. These are white sculptures made thanks to tourists who lend themselves to pose, remaining motionless for about an hour, after being covered with gauze and plaster. The sculpture is then paraded to them, remaining to frame the place until the winter snow destroys it.
Always remaining immersed in nature, you will find flower beds of aromatic plants next to the staircase that will take you to Garden of olive trees, where the birds of prey are kept during the day: you will see them each on their perch, really cute, but be careful not to make noises, not to scream, not to run and not to do too abrupt acts.
It is precisely on this square facing the lake that the falconers will introduce you to the falcons and their characteristics one by one: they will explain the history of falconry and they will show you the various specimens up close in all their splendor, before launching them in flight. For some years the castle has housed a center for the care and training of the same, born and raised in captivity.
The ancient Castle
In front of the Garden of Olives, there is the ancient castle: immediately on the left you will find a small drawbridge, where children usually compete to get up and be photographed, and which leads inside the tower, where there is a 'exhibition of the Lariosaurus, a prehistoric marine reptile found a few meters from the castle itself, and some tools that were used in the past.
Using the stairs you can climb up to the tower to enjoy a further magnificent view of the lake, while in another tower opposite, you can admire some armor of the time.
Founded according to legend by Queen Theodolinda, the castle is located in a strategic position, in a place already inhabited in the Iron Age. The origin of the fortification is probably late Roman, placed to defend the road that from Bellano went up the Val di Esino.
Practical advice
The place itself is not very large, so you will be able to get by even in half a day between visit to the castle and Falconry demonstrations. For the latter you must always consult the official website because they are done only on certain days and at certain hours, weather conditions permitting.
