Sasso di San Martino

On the Griante side of Lake Como, the Sasso di San Martino is a crag at 475 metres where the mountainside opens onto the middle of the lake.

Why it matters

The Sasso gives Griante its geography. The village spreads along its base, the sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie occupies its slope, and the rock forms a landmark on the opposite shore. From the crag, the mid-lake panorama includes Bellagio's promontory, the Varenna side and the Grigne rising behind.

What to notice

The rock is a rupe, a crag of open terrain at 475 metres. Historic landmarks on its slope include Griante's centre, the parish church, the oratory of San Rocco and mosaic chapels near the sanctuary. The view arcs across the central lake, with the Grigne behind.

Context and history

The mountain above Griante has carried the name of Saint Martin for centuries, and the plateau church of San Martino on the Sasso's slope was built in the sixteenth century, according to the official itinerary — long before the Sanctuary title. The rock gained wider recognition during Cadenabbia's nineteenth-century popularity as a British resort, when San Martino became a recommended outing. The registered toponym is Sasso di San Martino, in the singular.