Como, Lake Como
Welcome to Como,
Como is a little town of more or less 80.000 inhabitants situated at the
extreme point of the west branch and is a centre of historical, artistic
and cultural importance, combined with important industrial and commercial
activity as well as a beautiful lakefront.
The hills surrounding the current location of Como were
inhabited since prehistoric times and they represented the first centre
that was then moved to its current location by order of Julius Caesar.
Como has always been an important town in Lombardy and for many centuries
it competed with Milan.
In the late Middle Ages, the city developed little suburbs
all with an identity and characteristics of their own, along with several
defensive towers around the city limits, promoted by Barbarossa. Today
these little suburbs are part of the city and Como’s history is still
visible thanks to all the antique monuments along the roads.
From the 16th century Como was submitted of Spanish rule
and then was handed over to the Austrians (18th century). These are the
years of Alessandro Volta, of the sumptuous villas, of the industry development
and of the Social Theatre.
While visiting the Museo Civico Archeologico “Giovio”
you can have an idea of how Como was in the prehistory, while structure
of the city centre dates back to the Roman Age. The three towers at south,
the Roman churches and the magnificent Cathedral, completed in 1740, all
show Como’s medieval past.
In the area of Borgo Vico, at west, you can visit the
splendid villas and walking on the lakefront, towards the centre, you
can see Volta’s temple (Tempio Voltiano) and piazza Cavour, where the
trading port was once located.