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Our office : the Altolario Info-Point
 Our tourist office �Coop.Imago� is situated in the historical square of Dongo and more exactly, in the famous Manzi Palace ( famous because an important event sees Dongo as protagonist of the fall of the fascist governement when in April 1945 between Musso and Dongo near the bridge called �Puncett� , a German troop was stopped and among the fugitives Mussolini was found and
arrested).
Thanks to the �Comunit� Montana� and the Dongo council, our office is open to the public all year round. We are qualified guides who can offer you suggestions and ideas on how to spend your holidays on this beautiful
lake.
Manzi Palace: a historical palace
 Manzi palace is situated in the main square of Dongo and it is one of the most important neo-classical building on the western Altolario.It was built by the �Polti-Petazzi� family between 1803-1810 and it was completed in 1818. Its name derives from the noble family �Manzi� who, after being the propieter for about a century, donated it to the community of Dongo which from 1937 trasformed it into its Town-Hall.
Inside, you can visit the Sala D�Oro, the Chapel and the Library.
The Golden-room is so-called for the richness of its decorations.
Once, it was the dance-hall.On the ceiling, you can admire a frescoe rappresenting the Parnaso, Apollo with the Muses, by Lavelli (An Appiani
student).
 There are two fire-places with wonderful mirrors and a Venetian mosaic.
Close to the Golden-room, there is the library that contains 4000 volumes among which the full work of Ludovico Muratori.
The Virgin�s chapel has a beautiful altar in polychrome marble of Ravenna.
In the central niche, there is a wooden statue of our Lady; but the most valuable thing is the circular fresco, that covers the whole vault.It represents the apocalyptic subject of our Lady defeating the seven headed Dragon symbol of Satan. We can also see St.John the evangelist describing this vision,with an eagle that is his symbol.The author of this fresco is Lavelli.
A Trip down memory-lane
 A visit of Dongo offers not only a spectacular view of the lake of Como but ii also allows us travel back to a precise moment in Italian history, that of the capture of Mussolini and the fascist commanding
officers.
A troop of German officers escaping towards Valtellina in order to reach Germany were stopped by a group of partisans in the vicinity of Puncett in Dongo; despite being dressed in German uniform, Mussolini was recognized and
arrested.
 After being deterred of a few hours inside Palazzo Manzi, he was transferred to the Military Quarters in the small nearly village of Germasino and later led to his final destination: Giulino di
Mezzegra.
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versione
italiana
