Its historical birth goes back to the Middle Ages, when Emperor Otto II granted lands in Valtellina as a fief to the mighty Vicedomini family who chose Traona as their base, due to its central location. Here they took control of trade and the movement of cattle towards Val Masino. The Customs Archway (Arco Dogana), the ancient entrance gate to the town and customs house, is testimony to the former eminence of this village. It was commissioned by the podesta who lived there, to collect duties on goods passing through. This growing prestige attracted the noble families of the Parravicinis, the Vertemates, the Malacridas, and the Omodeis, originating from Como, to the town, and other noble families, who took control of the economy of the lower valley, of the area’s agricultural production and built magnificent stately buildings and noble dwellings in this village which still retain their age-old splendour.