Garzeno, a mountain village in the Albano Valley, lies along the road that from Dongo runs up to the Pass of St. Jorio (at 2004 m.), linking Northern Lake Como to the Mesolcina Valley and Bellinzona (Switzerland). The village is formed by a rather sprawling old centre and includes some hamlets scattered on the mountain slopes. In the heart of Garzeno stand several interesting rustic houses some of which have votive frescoes, most notably on Via Lamiolo. Besides these, there are fine chapels and fountains.
The first recorded mention of the town dates back to the 12th century. Garzeno was ruled by the Sacco (Sax) family, feudal Lords of the Mesolcina Valley. Then, it came under the control of the Bishoprie of Coira (Canton Grisons, Switzerland) which lost it in 1284 and regained it in 1404. United to the Parish of Dongo, it became part of the feud of the Three Parishes (earldom under Tolomeo Gallio in 1580).

Monuments:
Parish church of SS. Pietro e Paolo - It is a 15th-century porticoed building much altered in the Baroque period. It contains 17th century frescoes by Fiamminghino and G.P. Recchi, a fine votive fresco cycle dating from the 16th century and two stained glasses from the 1500.

Natural points of interests:
S. Jorio mountain Pass - It represents an important way of communication between Northern Lake Como and the Mesolcina Valley probably dating from the Roman Age. In the Middle Ages and in particular in the Carolingian period, it gained in importance. It was, in fact, periodically crossed by the German monks from Reichenau who descended the valley to collect the products from their estates in Gravedona and Domaso. In the 14th century, it was also an important way for the notaries from Gravedona and Dongo who were often called to draw up deeds in the Mesolcina's villages. In 1465 some merchants and communes, such as Como, asked the Duke of Milan permission to repair the road at their own expense, considering its commercial importance and in view of the iron mines exploitation in the Morobia Valley. At the pass, it is still possible to see a chapel already mentioned during the first pastoral visit of Niguarda (1593) which houses some fresco fragments depicting St Jorio and the Virgin. Particularly important is the Insubrica rift valley, the northernmost rift valley in Lombardy; this vertical rift in the earth's crust which can be clearly seen nearby the St. Jorio Pass and from the Sasso di Peglio to the lake, is thought to be older than the Alps. Another rift lies in the Albano Valley as revealed by a 'Norico' limestone reef leaning on white crystalline marble (the well- known Musso's marble).