Lecco

Lecco lies at the southeastern end of Lake Como, where the waters narrow into the River Adda. Mountain roads connect the lake with Valsassina and Valtellina, and the bridge built by Azzone Visconti in 1336–38 carried traffic across the river. Ironworking had a long history in this district, reaching back to the Middle Ages.

Lecco was rebuilt after Matteo Visconti destroyed it in 1296 amid struggles between Milanese families. Its community retained its own statutes and considerable autonomy and civil and criminal laws within the Duchy of Milan until 1757. Under Charles V the town became a Spanish military stronghold; plague and famine also afflicted the region. In 1784 Joseph II ordered its walls demolished, and in 1799 French and Russian troops fought in the area.