Como

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For other uses, see Como (disambiguation)

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Como (Comm in the local dialect of Lombard language) is a city in Lombardy, Italy, 45 km north of Milan. Situated on Lake Como, it is the capital of the province of Como.

History

The hills surrounding the current location of Como were inhabited in prehistoric times, at least since the Bronze Age. Remains of settlements are still present on the wood covered hills to the South West of town. The people that inhabited these settlements were known as the Orobii, a Celtic tribe.

Around the 1st century BC the territory became subjected to the Romans. The first center was situated on the nearby hills, but it was then moved to its current location by order of Julius Caesar, who had the swamp near the southern tip of the lake drained and laid the plan of the walled city in the typical grid of perpendicular streets. The newly founded town was named Novum Comum and had the status of municipium.

In 774 the town surrendered to the invasion of the Franks led by Charlemagne, and it became a center of commercial exchange.

In 1127 Como lost the decade-long war against the nearby town of Milan. A few decades later, with the help of Frederick Barbarossa, the Comaschi could avenge their defeat when Milan was destroyed in 1162. Frederick promoted the construction of several defensive towers around the city limits, of which only one remains, the Baradello.

From then on the history of Como followed that of the Ducato di Milano, through the French invasion, then the Spanish domination until 1714, when the territory was taken by the Austrians. Napoleon descended into Lombardy in 1796 and ruled it until 1815, when the Austrian rule was resumed after the Congress of Vienna. Finally in 1859, with the arrival of Giuseppe Garibaldi, the town was freed from the Austrians and it became part of the newly formed Kingdom of Italy under the House of Savoy.

At the end of World War II, after passing through Como on its escape towards Switzerland, Mussolini was taken prisoner and then shot by Comaschi partisans in Giulino di Mezzegra, a small town on the north shores of Como Lake.

As a curiosity, the Rockefeller fountain that today stands in the Bronx Zoo in New York City was once in the main square by the lakeside. It was bought by William Rockefeller in 1902.

Main sights

Monuments

• Duomo, built between XIV and XVIII centuries. It is connected to the ancient town hall of the city, the "Broletto".
• San Fedele, a Romanesque church erected in the 12th century.
• Broletto (ancient municiple)
• The Romanesque church of Sant'Abbondio. It contains beautiful paintings dating to the 11th century.
• Casa del Fascio, possibly Giuseppe Terragni's most famous work. It has been described as an early "landmark of modern European architecture".
• Monumento ai caduti (by Giuseppe Terragni)
• Teatro Sociale (by Giuseppe Cusi)
• Villa Olmo (expositions)
• Ancient walls (medieval)
• Castello Baradello, a small medieval castle.

Museums

• Musei Civici
• Museo archeologico "P. Giovio"
• Museo Storico
• Pinacoteca
• Tempio Voltiano, a museum devoted ot Alessandro Volta's work.
• Museo della Seta
• Museo Liceo classico "A. Volta"
• Villa Olmo (expositions)

Famous people

Famous people associated with Como include:

• Pliny the Elder
• Pliny the Younger
• Pope Innocent XI
• Alessandro Volta
• Giuseppe Terragni
• Gianluca Zambrotta

Economy

The economy of Como was traditionally based on industry - the city was world famous for its silk manufacturers. In recent years tourism has become increasingly important. Many celebrities have homes on the shores of Lake Como, for example Madonna, George Clooney, Versace, and Sylvester Stallone. This has considerably heightened Como's international profile.

University

• Università degli studi dell'Insubria - polo di Como ([website])
• Politecnico di Milano - polo di Como ([website])

Transportation

The Servizio Ferroviario Regionale links Como by train to other major cities in Lombardy (R lines). Services are provided by Trenitalia and Ferrovie Nord Milano and there are two main stations: Como S. Giovanni (Trenitalia) and Como Lago (Ferrovie Nord Milano). There is another urban station served by Trenitalia (Albate) and three more urban stations served by Ferrovie Nord Milano (Como Borghi-Università, Como Camerlata and Grandate Breccia).

The nearest airports are Milano Malpensa and Lugano Agno. Milano Malpensa can be reached in about 1 hour either by bus or by train (Ferrovie Nord Milano), with exchange at Saronno.

External links

• [Official homepage Comune di Como (Italian/English)]
• [Lake Como tourism site]

 

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