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Chiavenna (333m over sea level), a charming little town cradled in the heart on the Rethic Alps, has through the centuries been the doorway to northern Europe for Italians connecting Italy to Switzerland, via the Splugen and Maloja Passes.
It is the home of some splendid architectural works including the arched Church of San Lorenzo, the Balbiani Castle, the Salis Palace and Pestalozzi Palace. Hidden away in the back lanes leading off the principle streets of Via Dolzino and Via Paolo Bossi, are numerous intriguing little pockets of history to be discovered.
Chaivenna has a tradition for tantalizing culinary delicacies. It is home to the internationally renowned “Brisaola”, a tasty dried beef and also to the “Violino di Capra” which is a uniquely flavoured dried goat meat.
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The region produces numerous delicious cheeses and good wines. In fact, the traditional “crotti” have grown from around these good foods. The Crotti are a unique part of the Chiavenna’s history, where many cave like structures were created due to a landslide hundreds of years ago. Throughout the year the “Sorèl”, an 8° C air current, cools the caves, making them a perfect location for food storage.
Local people traditionally stock their foods there and today Crotti has become a central part of the social and dining tradition in Chiavenna and the surrounding area. The Pratogiano area is home to the majority of these Crottis - right next to The Specola B&B.
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