On 23 June 2002, “The Small Museum of the Guardia di Finanza and Smuggling” was inaugurated in Erbonne, a hamlet of San Fedele Intelvi, province of Como.
The National Association of Italian Financiers Section "Alceo Salvini" wanted to give back to the Intelvi Valley a living testimony of an important moment of its history, renovating the "barracks" of the Guardia di Finanza closed in November 1977. The Financiers carried out the 24 hour anti-smuggling service since 1947. The structure remained in a state of abandonment until 2001. It is state property and was transformed by ANFI into a small museum which collects, thanks also to the collaboration of the smugglers of the time , of the Swiss Border Guard, of the private individuals and financiers who served here, the memorabilia and objects that marked such an important and significant era for this area.
The Museum was called “Burlanda e Sfrusaduu” in homage to the Intelvi Valley, as financiers and smugglers were called this in the local dialect.
The renovation works were carried out by financiers on leave: Pietro Vitelli, Guido D'Orazio, Ulderico Battista, Angelo Serra and Gabriele Lombardo.
Since the Museum is small in size (4x4 m), it is possible to visit it from the outside thanks to a glass window located in front of the entrance door and other side windows.
Particular thanks go to the inhabitants of Erbonne for their kind and effective collaboration.
The museum is located at the beginning of the path which, in 20 minutes, leads from Erbonne to Scudelatte in the Muggio Valley, in Swiss territory.
The small and charming village, located at 963 m above sea level, is nestled between Monte Generoso and Pizzo della Croce and develops on a natural rock terrace in the initial stretch of the Muggio Valley which at that point softens the steep slope of the slopes of the Valley. Some remains suggest Mesolithic bivouacs; during the Copper and Iron Ages the place became a point of stable agro-silvo-pastoral settlement.
Currently the village is inhabited by only twelve people and is the starting point for numerous excursions in the surrounding mountains and especially towards the summit of Monte Generoso.
From San Fedele Intelvi, crossing the town of Casasco and the Pian delle Alpi, you reach Erbonne.
By car: 15 minutes from San Fedele Intelvi
On foot: 30 minutes from Pian delle Alpi
The museum can be visited on request: contact Mr. Stefano Agnese of the National Association of Italian Financiers – Alceo Salvini Section – tel. 333 23 84 179
Museum Route in the Intelvi Valley | trailer – a documentary by Andrea Priori – Foto Idea by San Fedele Intelvi (Co): https://vimeo.com/198663787
By Corinna Agostoni – Beyond the Balcony. A flowery window onto the world: https://oltreilbalcone.com/2019/11/28/valle-intelvi/?fbclid=IwAR0P2WAxjr49I2wekx-cQ8eVx1YWCnLXhXeT0OliQ-_6SLqFENn6Dpbes1w
Edited Corinna Agostoni – Beyond the Balcony. A flowery window onto the world: https://oltreilbalcone.com/2020/05/13/gita-fuori-porta-vicino-milano/
