• Cluster Monza Brianza / Pusiano

Lake Pusiano





Characteristics

Lake Pusiano (also called “Eupili”) is fed by the river Lambro (known as Lambrone to the north of the lake). It has a maximum length of 2 km and 770 metres and a width of 2 km and 400 metres. A dam (Cavo Diotti) has regulated its flow downstream since 1811.

Municipalities involved

  • In the Province of Como: Pusiano, Eupilio, Erba, Merone.
  • In the Province of Lecco: Cesana Brianza, Bosisio Parini, Rogeno

Brief history

Mentioned among the lakes of the Cisalpine area as Lake “Eupili” by Pliny the Elder in 70 AD, Lake Pusiano reappears in a document of 1314 concerning its division between the Archbishop of Milan and the Collegiate church of St. John the Baptist in Monza. Owned by the Carpani family between 1588 and 1765, the Lake later became Napoleonic property. The viceroy Eugène de Beauharnais spent his free time there. In 1820, the first working steam ship in Italy was experimented on the lake.

Places of inspiration

The locations on the lake are known to have inspired writers and artists. First of all, Giuseppe Parini, who was born at Bosisio; then Monti, Porta, Manzoni, Stendhal, Segantini.

Legends

It is said (Liber Notitie Sanctorum Medionalii) that a dragon once lived in the lake whose breath poisoned the air from Erba to Valassina, killing the flocks. The inhabitants of Pusiano then decided to sacrifice the young people of the town to appease the dragon, among them the princess Cleodolinda of Morchiuso. Saint George was riding by and came to her aid, calmed the dragon with elder flowers, freed the young woman and finally decapitated the winged monster.

Image from the site www.laprovinciadilecco.it

 


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