Beata Vergine Maria della Visitazione is the church we find in the Bellano hamlet of Pennaso, shared with the church of Portone. The religious building is the link between the two towns, and this is due to the fact that it is located on the ancient road to Valsassina, Val d’Esino and the lake, passing through Bellano: it was in fact necessary to cross that “gateway”, and the term gave its name to the place.
The oratory, with Roman origins, was part of the sighting network of the fortified system of the Lario. Externally it has a facade, attached to another building, rectangular in shape with a stone portal raised four steps flanked by two small windows. Above this opens a rectangular one of larger dimensions in turn surmounted by an opening with more articulated forms. Internally, the church boasts a discreet collection of seventeenth-century paintings: the altarpiece depicts the Madonna and Child with Saint Anthony of Padua, another canvas depicts the Adoration of the Magi, very similar to the one painted in 1609 by Giovanbattista Secchi for the church of San Pietro in Gessate in Milan. The paintings dating back to 1676 depicting Mary scenes are also of interest.
Oral tradition has it that the inhabitants of the area invoke the Madonna of this little church to ensure refreshing rains during the hottest months.
