COMO | LOMBARDY

Discover Como

Como, a province of Lombardy and part of the Euroregion of Insubria, includes the town of Campione d'Italia, an Italian exclave in Swiss territory.
Campione D'Italia is Italy’s only exclave.
The province of Como was once subdivided into seven geographical areas united by a similar climate and land features. The seven areas are the Brianza Comasca, the area of Olgiatese, Como and its immediate surroundings, the area of the Lariano Triangle, the Lario Intelvese zone and the Lepontine Southern Alps.

Among the attractions of Como city are the cathedral with its beautiful sixteenth-century facade, the Romanesque church of S. Abbondio with frescoes from the eleventh century, “Broletto” the old town hall, and a cable car that links the city centre to Brunate, a beautiful village 715m above sea level with a fantastic view.
In terms of scenery Lake Como is certainly one of the most valuable destinations in the province. Lake Como has an unusual "Y" form and spreads between the Brianza area and the Valtellina; all around it are wonderful centres of important agricultural and mountain traditions.

Ecotourism enthusiasts can choose from many itineraries such as the Via dei Monti Lariani, a beautiful hiking trail that starts at Cernobbio and connects mountain localities as far as Sorico, localities that in the past were used as pastures by the Como lakeside communities. Lake Como was formerly known as Lake Lario, hence the name "Via dei Monti Lariani", or “the route that linked the pastures”.
The sixteenth-century Villa D'Este at Cernobbio, built by Pellegrino Tibaldi, is now one of Italy’s most important hotels. The villa has a wonderful garden that often hosts international events.
Further on towards Tremezzo is Villa Arconati Visconti, and Villa Carlotta. The eighteenth-century Villa Carlotta today houses a museum with sculptures by Antonio Canova.
Also worth visiting are Menaggio, and Bellagio with its series of alleys, steps and chic shops. The heart of Menaggio is Piazza Garibaldi; located in the village of Loveno is the Italo-German Centre, Villa Vigoni.

Headquarters of the Rockefeller Foundation is Villa Serbelloni, the Bellaggio Study Centre. Villa Melzi is another beautiful villa containing the famous monument to Dante and Beatrice. Bellaggio is a picturesque resort that   for centuries has been the destination of famous visitors, for example Kennedy and Chaplin. It is said to have been built on the ruins of the home of Pliny the Younger.
Brunate, a small town embellished by Art Nouveau style villas, has been inhabited since ancient times, demonstrated by the discovery of pre-Roman tombs.
Valsolda Castle near Lake Lugano was already mentioned in the first guide to Italy from 1582. Today Valsolda Castle is a village consisting of charming houses, small alleyways and flights of steps. Among the most beautiful homes is, "Uncle Maironi’s", which is ornamented by baroque busts.