Fascinating Lake Como

Rosmarie Macri

Description

Lake Como, with it's four different shores and surrounding picturesque mountains, invites travellers to discover and enjoy. 'Fascinating Lake Como' describes, based on many local insights of the area - what's to be seen, sensed, experienced and discovered around Lake Como. Here, luxuriant nature merges with the beauty of centuries-old grand villas and adjoining gardens. The diversity between the shores of the lake and the heights of the mountains creates the feeling of experiencing several holidays simultaneously, and will not disappoint!Culture enthusiasts will discover a wide range of architectural gems while strolling through the Medieval villages and towns, and numerous artistic treasures in the local churches and museums. This travel guide not only highlights the cultural delights of the location, but also gives practical information on activities, where to eat and where to shop!'Fascinating Lake Como' helps the reader to understand the correlation between the past and the present of this intriguing area of Italy, while allowing the reader to enjoy the villages and places to see through the eyes of an insider.

Sujets

• Italy
• My Last Duchess

Informations

• Publié par: Troubador Publishing Ltd
• Date de parution: 31 mars 2015
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781784629625
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 3 Mo

Extrait

FASCINATING LAKE COMO
Rosmarie Macri
Welcome to Lake Como
Lake Como, with its four very different shores and impressive encompassing Alpine landscape, offers unique opportunity to combine the Italian way of life, “La Dolce Vita” as Italians would say, with a variety of places to see and sportive activities.
The lake is surrounded by coves and cliffy mountains, towns and hamlets which kept their original charm. Here, luxuriant nature merges with the beauty of centuries-old grand villas and adjoining gardens that gently slope towards the lake. In such a picturesque and unique setting it’s easy to let go the stresses of everyday life.
Culture enthusiasts will discover a wide range of architectural gems while strolling through the medieval villages and towns, and numerous artistic treasures exhibited in churches and museums.
Another special feature of the lake is its aquatic transport system, which is very much in use and is a comfortable way to explore the most picturesque places along the lake!
Como offers different kinds of aquatic sport activities, either for athletes on a more professional level or for exploring the lake and its shores by water. If you are looking for something slightly more special we recommend booking a scenic flight by hydroplane!
Surrounding hill and mountain trails are perfect for hiking or mountain biking. During the summer months, there are numerous alpine lodgings with great views where one can go to relax. The considerable difference between shores of the lake and places high up in the mountains creates the feeling of being on holiday in several different worlds simultaneously.
Another popular pastime are motorcycle rides on winding roads along slopes and over passes. An excursion to the Moto Guzzi factory museum in Mandello near Lecco is perfect for motorcycle enthusiasts.
Elegant shops stocked with stylish, premium Italian clothes will delight visitors while younger buyers may prefere the international retail chains in Como and Lecco.

Facts to Lake Como and Lombardy
The area surrounding Lake Como (Lago di Como in Italian, also known as Lario, after the Latin name of the lake: Larius Lacus) belongs to Lombardy, which has a total population of 10 million inhabitants and generates 21 % (302 billion euro) of the gross domestic product in Italy. Lombardy, a water-rich region made up of currently 12 provinces, and measures a total of 23.864 km 2 , consisting up to 47% of plains (such as the Po valley, and 42% of mountainous landscapes (such as as Adamello, which is 3’539m high), the remaining 12 % consisting of rolling hills (such as Brianza). Milan, Lombardy’s large regional capital with 1.3 million inhabitants, and other cities with populations over 80’000, such as Brescia, Monza, Bergamo and Como, are also worth a visit.
The three provinces surrounding the lake are: Como, on the Western shore bordering the Swiss canton of Ticino (Switzerland), Lecco on the eastern shore, and Sondrio, further north bordering the Grisons (Switzerland). The 1.1 million inhabitants (11% of Lombardy) live in these three provinces surrrounding Lake Como within an area measuring 5’290 km 2 (22% of Lombardy)
Index of contents
Uniqueness of the region surrounding the Lake Como
HIGHLIGHTS
Top ten highlights
Exceptionally picturesque locations
Most beautiful panoramic views
HISTORY – LAKE COMO AND LOMBARDY
WESTERN SHORE: COMO – SALA COMACINA
Como, Brunate
Cernobbio
Moltrasio - Carate Urio
Laglio - Brienno – Laglio
Argegno
Val d’Intelvi/Intelvi valley
Colonno - Sala Comacina
WESTERN SHORE: TREMEZZINA – MENAGGIO
Tremezzina (Ossuccio/Isola Comacina, Lenno, Mezzegra, Tremezzo)
Griante, Cadenabbia
Grandola ed Uniti – Porlezza
Menaggio
WESTERN SHORE: S. SIRO - GERA LARIO
S. Siro (Rezzonico – Acquaseria)
Cremia
Pianello del Lario - Musso
Dongo
Gravedona ed Uniti
Domaso
Gera Lario – Sorico - Dascio
BELLAGIO - TRIANGULAR PENINSULA
Blevio – Torno
Faggeto Lario - Molina
Pognana Lario - Nesso
Lezzeno
Bellagio
Oliveto Lario - Magrelio/Ghisallo
Malgrate, Canzo, Asso
EASTERN SHORE: LECCO - COLICO
Lecco
Mandello del Lario
Lierna
Varenna - Perledo
Bellano
Dervio/Corenno Plinio - Dorio
Colico – Piona
VALTELLINA & VALCHIAVENNA
Morbegno – Sondrio
Chiavenna
Bergell (direction St Moritz)
Madesimo (direction Splügen pass)
PLACES TO SEE NEAR LAKE COMO
Milan - Milano
Bergamo – a city full of art
Pavia
Monza
Campione d’Italia
Swissminiatur, Melide (Switzerland)
Monte San Giorgio, UNESCO World Heritage Site
FAI - possessions in Lombardy (Fondo Ambiente Italiano)
ENJOYING LA DOLCE VITA
Travelling by Water in Lake Como
Italian eating, local specialities, good to know
Tips for travelling with children
Pubs, discos, places with entertainment, weekly markets
Annual events – calendar highlights
Outlet shopping – factory and warehouse
SPORTS ACTIVITIES
Water sports rentals and schools in Lake Como
Hiking
Bikes and mountain bikes, tennis courts and horse riding
Golf
Several special activities
VARIOUS TOPICS
General information
National holidays
Tourist Info, taxi, taxi boats, car rental
Practical tips for guests
First aid and emergency numbers
General legal information/disclaimer (ebook protected by copyright, no guarantee for provided information)
Bibliography
Impressum
Uniqueness of the region surrounding Lake Como
Lake Como is completely penned in by a pre-alpine mountain range. One promontory follows another, providing smaller and bigger bays with picturesque places to linger. Numerous villages and small towns lie scattered among the hills and coastal area of the 46 km long lake.
At its widest, the lake measures a maximum of 4,3 km, narrowing considerably as it stretches out toward Como and Lecco. After the Romans built mountain passes in 59 BC, its depth of 410 m subsequently proved ideal as a water route between Milan and the passes, which extended beyond the Alps. In turn this led to many villages amassing and developing historic treasures of their own.
The Middle Ages in this area were marked by repeated attempted invasions from the north, requiring the fortification of castles and villages as a defence. The Christianisation north of the Alps resulted in the construction of many churches and abbeys along Lake Como. The contemplative lake bracketed by numerous mountain peaks was obviously predestined as an attraction also for pilgrims on their way to Rome.

To attract these believers, local churches were embellished with uncountable works of art by local artists, the most famous of this region, such as Maestri Comacini and Maestri Intelvesi, were masters in architecture, painting, sculpture and stucco work. Their work can be seen in numerous Italian cities in Italy and Europe, and contributed considerably to the propagation of Italian architectural styles such as the Rinascimento (Renaissance) and Barocco (Baroque).
The early economic development of Lombardy was the result of enormous wealth accrued by exporting valuable silk and metal products during the previous centuries. From the 12 th to the 20 th century Como played a leading role in the production of precious textiles made of silk. The numerous irrigation channels of the Po Valley nourished the flourishing textile industry and agriculture by cultivating various crops, as well as mulberry trees, flax, and fodder for the dairy industry.
Once the Treaty of the Pyrenees was signed in 1659, the Lombard nobility no longer needed to finance any wars against France, which therefore led to princely villas with lushly laid out gardens gradually developing around Lake Como. Over the years it became de rigeur for rich entrepreneurs to own a villa with a park on the lake, where intellectuals, scientists, musicians, literary figures and widely travelled persons could meet and exchange ideas.
The construction of the Gotthard railway tunnel in Switzerland (1870-1882) meant that the importance of Lake Como as a trading route gradually diminished in importance. In addition, after the Second World War it became fashionable to spend one’s holidays by the sea side, which meant that this romantic lake was further relegated to oblivion. This turned out to be quite fortunate, as many elements from the past were preserved as if by a miracle.
HIGHLIGHTS
Top Ten highlights
1) Duomo di Como
Como Cathedral is a successful example of how a monumental edifice was created over five centuries, unifying Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque style elements into a magnificent artistic synthesis.
2) The Sacred Mountain of Ossuccio, UNESCO World Heritage Site Sacri Monti
The pilgrimage church Madonna del Soccorso, in a gorgeous location, has life-size statues in 14 different Baroque chapels.
3) Villa del Balbianello / FAI (Italian National Trust) in Lenno
The villa is located on the tip of a small peninsula, a lovely balcony overlooking the heart of the lake with the Bellagio peninsula an the southern arm of Lake Como.

4) Botanical Garden of Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo
The art, nature and architecture harmonize beautifully with the fabulous setting of this place. The terraced botanical landscape garden is already worth seeing on its own.
5) Bellagio, the Pearl of the Lario
A small town situated on the extreme cape dividing Lake Como into two branches, is a perfect dream of quaint hamlets, access balconies and little shops. It is worth visiting the beautiful landscape gardens of Villa Serbelloni and Villa Melzi when you are in the area.
6) S. Maria del Tiglio in Gravedona
This extremely precious Romanesque church with an octagonal bell tower and dichromatic façade, with extraordinary fresco paintings inside, is situated on the lake beside the parish church of S. Vincenzo,
7) Corenno Plinio in Dervio
One of the most characteristic places on Lake Como is this Romanesque church and monumental gravesite built on a rock spur n