City of Como
The city of Como is a place that never stops giving us emotions. We want to give you some information to tell you why this place is unique in the world.
Lake Como, for us a unique place in the world!
It's a pleasure to share the beauty of Como with you! It's hard to put into words everything that makes it special.
Imagine walking through its fascinating streets, embraced by the history that permeates its walls and lulled by the sweet atmosphere of the squares.
The streets intertwine in a cheerful game, while the shady parks offer an enveloping tranquility. During the summer, the light breeze gently caresses you.
The surrounding mountains rise majestically, while the sunsets offer a moving spectacle. The deep blue of Como's waters is truly mysterious.
We feel sincere affection and deep respect for our city, for its culture and its traditions.
Throughout its rich history, which has roots even in prehistoric times, Como has fascinated poets, writers, philosophers and scientists.
It is an enchanting jewel between the Lombard Alps and Pre-Alps, and we can't wait to share its magic with you!
Lake Como, destination for historical figures
From the author of Frankenstein, Mary Shelley , who lived on the lake for a time, to the passionate Ugo Foscolo , who consummated his love for the young countess Francesca Giovio; from the Nobel Prize winner Herman Hesse , who took a boat trip there, to the bold futurist Marinetti , who is responsible for the geometry of the War Memorial that outlines the city's skyline.
Goethe was enraptured by it, Stendhal , in The Charterhouse of Parma, described it as a “ sublime and graceful spectacle ”, Verga loved it for its bittersweet beauty.
The poet Alda Merini remained inextricably linked to the city and in particular to Brunate , the birthplace of her grandfather Giovanni and her father Nemo.
Alda loved to tell an anecdote connected to the funicular: being a hypochondriac, one day, overcome by a moment of anxiety, she said: “ My heart is hanging by a thread! ”, and a relative replied: “ Come on, your heart is hanging from the cable of the funicular! ”.
We all remember one of the most famous incipits of Italian literature: “ That branch of Lake Como, which turns to noon […] ” from Alessandro Manzoni’s novel The Betrothed, set right on the shores of the Lario and which for decades has aroused love and hate in all Italian high school students, and not only!
Alessandro Volta, the inventor of the battery
Among the historical figures born in Como, the best known is certainly the scientist Alessandro Volta who, in addition to being the inventor of the battery (it is no coincidence that the unit of measurement of electric potential is the volt), was the first to use methane gas in what we now call the " Volta lamp ", which opened the doors to gas lighting.
Volta also wrote poetry and in an ironic youthful text he mentions the area where his Temple now stands and where boys used to flirt with girls: “They hang around this one and that one / especially in a certain district / which today we call Prato d'Orchi”. The “Orchi” were the mosquitoes attracted by the mouth of the Cosia stream.
Already in the 700th century they were the number one torment of summer nights!
Not just historical figures
Not just historical figures.
In recent years many international VIPs
they took up home on Lake Como
International VIPs on Lake Como
In recent years, many international celebrities have fallen under the spell of the Larian magnetism, and among these certainly stands out the actor George Clooney and his now iconic Villa Oleandra near Laglio.
Even the late Robin Williams , Oscar winner and star of many successful films, visited Como in 1998 and stayed at the splendid Villa d'Este. He was completely captivated, so much so that he uttered one of the most beautiful and sincere quotes ever inspired by our city: "That there is a God, when you look at the sky above Lake Como, is evident."
It won't be easy, but with great pleasure and dedication, we will try to tell you our best version of the city of Como through the Larius Way project , hoping to fascinate and intrigue you, and even inspire future poets and writers to talk about Lake Como.