Monte Bisbino, Mountain summit in Cernobbio, Italy.
Monte Bisbino is a 1,325-metre summit of the Lugano Prealps, in the Comasche Prealps, on the border between the province of Como and the Swiss canton of Ticino. Its peak, ringed by a spruce wood planted in the 1930s, carries the sanctuary of the Beata Vergine del Bisbino and a weather station. A narrow, winding road climbs about 17 km from Cernobbio through Rovenna and Madrona to the top.
The sanctuary of the Beata Vergine del Bisbino, documented from the 14th century and cited in pastoral visits by Feliciano Ninguarda in 1592, was built in the 15th century replacing an earlier shrine. The road from Rovenna cemetery to the summit was built during World War I as part of the Frontiera Nord defences, known as the Cadorna Line; a stone marker still shows its start. The summit's fir wood results from reforestation in the 1930s.
The sanctuary of the Beata Vergine del Bisbino, documented from the 14th century and built in the 15th on the site of an earlier shrine, holds a white marble Madonna attributed by some to Leonardo's school. Ex-votos left by soldiers who survived World War II hang inside. The building originally served pilgrims, and a nearby restaurant began as a pilgrims' hospice.
A narrow, winding paved road climbs about 17 km from Cernobbio through the hamlets of Rovenna and Madrona to the 1,325 m summit. The stretch between Rovenna's cemetery and the top was built during the First World War for the Frontiera Nord defences; a stone marker near the cemetery shows where the military road begins. Walkers can also use the mule tracks and paths on the slopes.
The summit stands only about 650 feet (200 meters) from the Swiss border, making it possible to look out over two countries at the same time. This position puts Switzerland close enough that on a clear day the view clearly crosses into the neighboring territory.
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