Ballabio
Welcome to Ballabio: a village between mountains and history
Ballabio is a small municipality located in the province of Lecco, in Lombardy, where nature and history blend in a breathtaking setting. Here, we will take you on a journey to discover the wonders of Ballabio, through its physical geography, history, society, economy, and anthropic geography.
Physical Geography
Ballabio is located at the beginning of the Valsassina valley, at the foot of Grignetta and Monte Due Mani mountains, under the Sella di Balisio. The village is divided into two districts: Ballabio Inferiore and Ballabio Superiore. The former is located along the SP 62 "della Valsassina" and can be reached from the State Road 36 Racc Lecco - Valsassina. The latter is located at the entrance of the Val Grande, where the Grigna stream flows and where the road to Piani Resinelli starts.
Origin of the Name
There are two hypotheses about the origins of the name Ballabio. The first hypothesis states that the toponym derives from ''Vallabi'', which means ''place of the Orobi'', while the second hypothesis suggests that the name comes from the combination of two Celtic words: ''Bala,'' meaning ''village,'' and ''Bi,'' meaning ''hut''.
History
The Ballabio area was inhabited by Orobi, Etruscans, Gauls, and Romans. During the Roman period, the ''via Spluga'' passed through the area, a road that connected Milan to Lindau through the Spluga Pass. During the Middle Ages, Ballabio was a fiefdom of the counts of Lecco.
In 1647, Ballabio was sold by the Spanish to Giulio Monti and later became the property of Marcellino Airoldi of Lecco. In 1765, under Maria Theresa of Austria, jurisdiction over the valley and Ballabio was assigned to the Duchy of Milan.
Symbols
The Municipality of Ballabio has a coat of arms that represents the mountain environment and the strategic position of the village on the road that climbs from Lecco to Valsassina. The red tower in the background represents the strategic importance of the area, while the rock and the eagle represent the mountain environment of the area. The blue lion alludes to Valsassina.
Monuments and Places of Interest
Ballabio boasts two very interesting historic churches, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, built on a previous church already attested in the XIII century, and the Church of San Lorenzo. Both churches are of considerable historical and artistic interest.
Society
Ballabio has a population of 4132 inhabitants. The district of Ballabio Inferiore has the majority of the population, while Ballabio Superiore has only 844 inhabitants. Over the centuries, the village has undergone many demographic changes.
Economy
Ballabio has an economy based on agriculture and dairy farming. In the 19th century, the village saw the birth of important dairy companies, such as Locatelli and Galbani, which were later acquired by the French multinational Lactalys.
Anthropogenic Geography
The Municipality of Ballabio is divided into two districts, Ballabio Inferiore and Ballabio Superiore, which were previously autonomous municipalities. The municipality also has a hamlet, Colle Balisio, which accommodates only 15 inhabitants and is located at 725 meters above sea level. Moreover, Ballabio shares the location of Piani dei Resinelli with the municipalities of Abbadia Lariana, Mandello del Lario, and Lecco.
Conclusions
Ballabio is a small Lombard village that hides unique treasures in the world. With immense natural beauty, the village has a millennia-old history and a still deeply-rooted enogastronomic culture. You can admire ancient churches and walk along the roads of Valsassina among the unspoiled nature. Ballabio is also home to a flourishing economy thanks to internationally renowned dairy companies. Come and discover everything Ballabio has to offer, we are waiting for you!
