Breglia
Breglia: a small hamlet in Plesio with a millenary history
Hello everyone! Today I will talk about Breglia, a wonderful hamlet in the municipality of Plesio, in the province of Como, which has a millenary history. Breglia is a small village located in Val Menaggio and is divided into two inhabited nuclei, Villa and Maggino.
## Physical Geography
Breglia is located at an altitude of 750 meters and is situated a few kilometers from Plesio. Its panoramic position allows you to admire one of the most beautiful views of the entire Lake Como area.
## Origin of the name
The name Breglia derives from the Celtic toponym "briu" which means bridge or scaffold. Maggino instead has a Celtic root that refers to agricultural activities, while Villa has a medieval origin, indicating a rural settlement.
## History
Origins
Breglia has a very ancient history: it was an autonomous municipality until 1928. The ancient origins of Breglia are traceable in the various archaeological findings discovered over the years, such as two cups and a granite burial from the 6th century.
Over the centuries, Breglia was an important stage of the Via Regina which, going up from Menaggio and Plesio, descended towards Rezzonico to avoid the cliffs of Sasso Rancio.
Main events
In 1751, the municipality of Breglia had 176 inhabitants and was part of the pieve of Menaggio. The council was made up of the neighbors who gathered house by house with the console.
## Monuments and places of interest
Breglia hosts some suggestive places on its territory, including the Sanctuary of Santa Maria on Monte Gordola and the Chapel of San Domenico.
Religious architecture
= Sanctuary of Santa Maria on Monte Gordola =
The Sanctuary of Santa Maria was built in 1777 and is located on the panoramic summit of Monte Gordola, from where you can admire the entire Val Menaggio and the lake. Inside there is a marble statue of Mary, brought to Breglia in 1740 from Genoa. The sanctuary is the most significant symbol of the devotion to the mother of God of the inhabitants of Val Menaggio and is a pilgrimage destination.
= Chapel of San Domenico =
The Chapel of San Domenico is located at the top of Sasso Rancio and was built in a commanding position on the entire central lake. The chapel can be reached with a walk of about 30 minutes from the village center.
Breglia is a place rich in history and culture, it is worth visiting to admire the beauty of its monuments and to discover its ancient traditions.
