San Fedelino
Tempietto of San Fedelino: a tiny Romanesque oratory from the 10th-11th century, made of stone, on the shores of Lake Mezzola near the mouth of the Mera.
What to see
The Oratory of San Fedele (also known as the little temple of San Fedelino or more simply San Fedelino) was erected around the 10th-11th century, on the site of the martyrdom of Saint Fedele, the proto-martyr of the Church of Como.
The oratory was built at the ancient northern terminal point of Lake Como (which, at that time, was not divided from the current Lake Mezzola and thus extended about 10 kilometers further north), where the river Mera flows, opening the way to the Spluga Pass and the Settimo. It was, in fact, one of the main communication routes between Milan and the Rhaetian and Danubian provinces.
It is quite a curiosity that the building is located on the western shore of the lake (in the territory of Sorico) in the province of Como, but is owned by the parish of Novate Mezzola in the province of Sondrio, in a position that is somewhat isolated today, since the road now runs along the eastern shore. However, it was precisely there that the ancient route of the Via Regina passed, well beyond the medieval period, connecting Como to the Alps. For example, modest frontier fortifications erected by the Grisons, who were then masters of Valchiavenna, were located there throughout the 17th century.
Getting there
On foot in 2 hours from Dascio (the trail is not always well-maintained). 1 hour and 20 minutes from Era di Samolaco along the river (easy).
By boat on reservation crossing the Mera River.