Kiaona; Returning to the lost paradise that stole the hearts of great writers

According to the Guardian; The ancient city of Chiavenna in the Lombardy region of Italy was once a popular hangout for great writers and philosophers such as Mary Shelley, Goethe and Nietzsche; But over time, it was overshadowed by the fame of Lake Como and was forgotten. Today, it has re-emerged for discerning travelers as a quieter, cheaper and highly romantic alternative, and is what Mary Shelley described as a “paradise steeped in rich vegetation”.

One of the unique features of this city is the presence of “Crotti” or natural caves in the heart of the mountain rocks. These stone cavities, whose temperature remains constant throughout the year, were used as natural glaciers in the past and were used to store cheese, meat and wine. Today, many of these caves have been turned into cozy restaurants that serve local dishes such as “Gnocchi alla chiavennasca” (Gnocchi alla chiavennasca), which is a type of bread and butter dumpling, in a semi-dark and mountainous atmosphere.

Reconstructed after the great fire of the 15th century, the historical fabric of Kiaona, with its cobbled streets, decorative fountains and buildings decorated with wall paintings, shows the glory of the golden age of trade in this area. For nature lovers, this area is a hiking paradise. The oak forest paths and the twin waterfalls of “Acquafraggia”, which Leonardo da Vinci called in his manuscripts “a wonderful sight with a magical sound”, are some of the beautiful views of this area.

This city also houses rare art treasures. Museo del Tesoro is another such place that preserves the 11th century jeweled Bible. Among other valuable treasures of this city are the Renaissance villas such as Palazzo Vertemate Franchi, which is the only remaining building from the landslide in 1618. For those who are looking for a combination of mountain silence, art history and taste pleasures in a space away from tourist noise, Chiavna is the most cozy and romantic corner of Italy.