Chiavenna, Alpine municipality in Province of Sondrio, Italy.
Chiavenna is an Alpine town in the Province of Sondrio where two rivers meet and mountains frame the setting. Located at roughly 333 meters elevation in Lombardy, it features narrow streets and stone buildings that form its main character.
This location started as a Roman settlement called Clavenna and sat on major trade routes crossing the Alps. Bishops from Como granted it town rights in 1030, which boosted its role as a commercial hub in the region.
Medieval archways and stone passages shape how people move through the town center today. Local food traditions, especially buckwheat dishes, remain central to family gatherings and seasonal celebrations.
Trains from Milan, about 100 kilometers away, connect directly to the town, or you can drive through road networks heading toward Lake Como and Swiss borders. Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant weather for exploring on foot without heavy crowds.
The Porta di San Giovanni still stands as one of the original medieval gateways marking the old entry to the fortified area. This gate tells the story of when the town guarded its boundaries and monitored who entered from the outside.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
