Cusino
Physical geography
Cusino is a municipality in the province of Como, located at the foot of Mount Pidaggia. It is the first town encountered when climbing the provincial road from Carlazzo and is surrounded by other municipalities, including Carlazzo itself, Grandola ed Uniti, San Bartolomeo Val Cavargna, and Garzeno. The territory is composed of five inhabited centers.
History
During the period of the Duchy of Milan, Cusino was part of the parish of Porlezza. Subsequently, with the division into provinces, the municipality of Cusino was added to the Province of Como, but then returned to the Pieve of Porlezza as part of the Kingdom of Italy. In 1812, during the Napoleonic era, Cusino was incorporated into the communanza of Carlazzo, but the aggregation was annulled when Napoleon fell and Lombardy passed into Austro-Hungarian hands.
Monuments and places of interest
Religious architecture
The church of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist is located in the center of the town. Dating back to the end of the 12th century, it has a Romanesque-style bell tower and preserves paintings from the 14th and 16th centuries. The church also has a "strappo" (fresco) of Saint Christopher with the child on his shoulder, originally affixed to the external belfry. The Oratory of Saint Ambrose, located at the foot of Mount Pidaggia, is one of the oldest churches in Cusino. Dating back to the 13th century, it has an entrance portal surmounted by a marble Christ, a rare example of Romanesque relief in the province of Como. The inhabitants of Cusino call this oratory the "church of the dead" or "the dead of Saint Ambrose."
Traditions and Events
Every year, the patron saint of Cusino, Saint John the Baptist, is celebrated on June 24th. On the evening of June 23rd, the community gathers in the square of the church to prepare for the midnight procession. During the procession, accompanied by the band of Carlazzo, the statue of Saint John the Baptist is carried around the town. After the mass the next day, there are games for children and youth, stalls, and a communal lunch.
Economy
The economy of Cusino is mainly based on agriculture and livestock farming. It is famous for the production of cheese, particularly the "fior di Cusino," a hard, aged cheese.
Curiosities
The Sasso di Cusino is a rocky spur that overlooks the town. It is a highly popular spot among tourists for its panoramic views of the valley and surrounding mountains. Legend has it that there was once a castle on top of the rock, where a beautiful princess lived and was kidnapped by a dragon. The prince in love saved her from the dragon, and they ruled happily ever after.
Cusino may be a small municipality in Lombardy, but it has a unique history and tradition. The ancient churches and religious festivals are an integral part of community life, which is based on agriculture and livestock farming. The town also offers natural beauty, such as the Sasso di Cusino, which is a wild and romantic place where, according to legend, a princess once lived and was saved by her prince.
