Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WORTH A TRIP
MADONNA DEL GHISALLO
In the high-country village of
Magreglio
(497m), 7km south of Bellagio, stands a simple 17th-century church
known as the
Santuario della Madonna del Ghisallo
. But this is not just any old high-mountain chapel.
The road up has frequently been included as a classic stage of the Giro d'Italia cycle race, and is known to pro-
fessional and amateur cyclists alike. The sanctuary long ago became a symbolic finishing line for cyclists, who
began leaving mementoes there. The place's importance for two-wheeled enthusiasts was such that Pope Pius XII
declared the Madonna del Ghisallo the patron of cyclists.
The gifts and tokens left at the sanctuary down the years became so numerous that it was decided to open the
nearby
Museo del Ciclismo
( 031 96 58 85;
www.museodelghisallo.it
; Via Gino Bartali 4; adult/child €6/3;
9.30am-5.30pm Tue-Sun Apr-Oct, 9.30am-5.30pm Sat & Sun Nov-Mar) to contain the overflow. The mu-
seum is devoted to all aspects of the business of cycling, with 100 film clips of great moments in Italian cycling,
memorabilia (including many bicycles) and temporary exhibitions - ample reward for the punishing climb.
