Tour of the city and Lake Como
The tour can be on foot or combined (cruise by private boat or city ferry)
Como gets the bronze prize in the championship of Italian lakes, judged strictly on its size. With a lake bed depth of about 410 metres, Como owes a debt to the mountain valley’s glacial past. The reservoir has a very unusual silhouette in the shape of a slingshot. The Adda River, winding between the mountain peaks, fills the base of the “slingshot”. About midway along its length, the reservoir splits into two winding arms. “The northern arm of the lake is called Colico, the south-eastern arm is called Lecco, and finally the south-western part of the lake is called Como.
The lake is open to shipping. The hothouse climate of the Alpine foothills allows locals to cultivate Mediterranean crops that usually do not survive in Lombardy. Olives, pomegranate trees, myrtle, cypress and vineyards adorn the lake shores and bring in a good harvest. Clean air, clear water, bright nature and modest architectural monuments attract holidaymakers to the hospitable shores of Lake Como.
The ancient Greeks awarded the lake with the epithet Lario, and the Romans translated the name into Latin Lacus. The name comes from the root “lar,” which means “deep place.” With the arrival of the Middle Ages, the old name of the lake lost its popularity, giving way to a new name – Como (short for lacus comensis).
Como will not leave you indifferent. Completely pedestrianised, surrounded by a fortress wall, quiet, cosy, clean and rich, it reminds you of Switzerland. And it is not by chance, because it is only 5 kilometres to its border. The main attraction of Como is the Dome Cathedral, the construction of which lasted 4 centuries. Two important early Christian churches are still preserved nearby. Made of local white stone, with elegant ancient bell towers, they are very picturesque against the blue mountains. Walking through the narrow streets, you will hear stories of bloody wars, passionate love, admire its luxurious palaces, see mysterious bas-reliefs and the “sister” of Gioconda.
Como is famous all over the world and buildings in the style of Rationalism, the founder of which is considered the local architect Terragni. Como does not live only in tourism. It is one of the most important industrial centres, with large textile factories producing silk for famous brands in Italy and France.
As you cruise along the coast, you will see luxurious villas visible only from the water: Villa D’Este, a famous hotel with a wonderful park; the villa where the film “Ocean’s 11 Friends” was filmed; Villa Troubetzky and the villa belonging to designer Giani Versace; and the village of Blevio with the villas of show business stars.
