history
Antique clues
The oldest clues to life in the region go as far back as to prehistoric times: these concern the so-called dome-formed blocks found in the parish of Sorico as in other areas of the lake region pertaining to the neolithic era. These are small cup-shaped
cavities on rocks or erratic blocks placed in different ways.
The first inhabitants
Through the study of toponomy one can presume that the first inhabitants of the area were Ligurians whilst an etymological study of local names and archological finds still prove the presence of Gallic peoples from V-IV century B.C. to the Roman
conquest.
The beginning of the Roman era
The Alto Lario regions, thus the territory of Gravedona must have taken part in conflicts between the rulers of Como and the barbaric and rebellious population of the Alps. These conflicts gradually led to the spread of the Roman occupation further north until Augustus established his supremacy on the Alps. Hence began the Roman era in Gravedona, under the guidance of the
'municipium comasco'.
Christianity
Gravedona followed Como's destiny in the spread of Christianity, under the influence of the episcopate of Como, starting from the first Bishop St. Felice followed by St. Abbondio. During the VI and VII centuries even Gravedona found itself involved in Graeco-gothic warfare, during which the Byzantines expanded their power to the central and northern lake regions. We find evidence of this in the Byzantine churches of St. Eufemia in Musso and S. Salvatore in
Gravedona.
French Domination
 Traces of subsequent French rule
(dated circa 550) are found in records which claim estates in the area of the Monastry of Fulda in the Franconian
realm, and of the Monastry of Reichnau on the Lake of Constance.
Still today there are reminders of French rule not only for the fact that the Franciscan road was for some time named Strada Regina (Queen's Road) but also for the epithet
"muncecch" still given to the people of the mountains in the surrounding valleys: the dialectal word 'cecch' still means Francesco and therefore 'Monti dei checch' would come to mean Mountains of the Franciscans, of the Francs from the domination of that time.
The District of Milan
 The end of the Carolingian empire brings about the disruption of the Milanese committe territory into small rural districts with constantly changing
boarders: it is therefore difficult to establish the areas under
Gravedona.
Toponomastic evidence, for example the Martesana district, existing in other areas of the central and southern end (basso lago) of the lake would make one believe that the whole western bank of the lake, once belonged to the Martesana Territory, that is to the Milan District. This would explain how Gravedona and Isola Comacina supported Milan in the war against Como at the beginning of 1100. The many castles built in the parishes or occasionally found on knolls and mounts, the signalling towers along the streets and towers belonging to families of nobility characterize the feudal period of the time.
The ten-year war between Como and Milan
Thus we reach the beginning of the XII century when Gravedona had by then become a centre of noteworthy importance; it took part in the ten-year war between Como and Milan (1118-1127), and then in the Constance peace deal which led to the end of conflict between Barbarossa and the Lombard Communes in 1183.
On this occasion, history relates that the Gravedona fleet sacked Federico Barbarossa's war spoils while it was being transported to Chiavenna by boat. From which the phrase pronounced by the outraged emperor:
"I pardon all the Lombard Communes save the maleficent People of
Gravedona".
The flourishing of the Communes
 SOnce all traces of feudal servitude and local autonomy under the domination of Como die out communal life however continues to
flourish; the most inportant centres, Gravedona, Dongo and Domaso become the homes of the same noble families which had already characterized the former period of life in the
Communes.
The Viscounts
The XIV century is characterized by a diffuse well-being which materializes in the passing of all the Como territory, Gravedona included, under the rule of The Viscounts. The accession to dukedom of Francesco Sforza in the mid 1400s puts an end to all the demands of the local large land owners on the duchy. In this period many churches were built in the area, all enriched with precious frescos; examples of how ducal trade and local tax concessions were granted which helped to increase welfare. In this period important family names emerged such as Stampa, Casati,
Curti, Canova, Sergregori.
From Swiss to Spanish domination
 NDuring the XVI century well-being continues to grow favoured by a large number of immigrants moving down from the surrounding mountains to the low lands and also to the south of
Italy; at the same time the area suffers floods and the destruction of war.
Firstly the French and then the Swiss repeatedly devastate the area until the arrival of the Spanish who cede the area of the Tre Pievi
(Three Parishes) to Tolomeo Gallio, citizen of Como, but however maintain power and build a base for military operations against the Grigioni of Valtellina.
Wars and Catastrophes
Wars and other calamities hit the Tre Pievi area during the XVII century: the invasion of the Lanzichenecchi from the duchy of Mantova, the plague in 1630 causing the death of 630 people just in Gravedona. No other event is worthy of notice during the rest of the XVIII century; thus we reach the wartime which characterizes the past two
centuries.
War and independance
Both man and land of these boarder regions were involved in the war of independance: soldiers from Gravedona were part of the unit which operated in Trentino in 1848.
The Second World War
Between September 1943 and April 1945 the mountain passes in the area witnessed the flight and refuge of the partisans towards
Switzerland. On the 25th April 1945 the Nazi column escorting The Duce and his comrades was
stopped.
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