Como
| Comune di Como |
|---|
Municipal coat of arms |
|---|
| Country |  Italy |
| Region | Lombardy |
| Province | Como (CO) |
| Mayor | Stefano Bruni (since 2002-05-28) |
| |
| Elevation | 201 m |
| Area | 37 km² |
| Population | |
| - Total (as of December 31, 2004) | 83,016 |
| - Density | 2,117/km² |
| Time zone | CET, UTC+1 |
| Coordinates | 45°49′N 09°05′E |
| Gentilic | Comaschi |
| Dialing code | 031 |
| Postal code | 22100 |
| Frazioni | Ponte Chiasso, Garzola, Sagnino, Monteolimpino, Tavernola, Camnago Volta, Lora, Prestino, Breccia, Rebbio, Civiglio, Muggió, Albate |
| Patron | Saint Abbondio |
| - Day | August 31 |
| Website: www.comune.como.it |
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 his 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
Churches
The church of San Fedele, apse area.
- Duomo (cathedral), begun in 1398 on the site of the previous Romanesque church of Santa Maria Maggiore. The façade was built in 1457, with the notable rose window and two Renaissance statues of the famous Comaschi, Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger. The interior is on the Latin cross plan, with a nave and two aisles divided by pilasters. The transept wing and the relative apses are from the 18th century. It include a carved 16th century choir and tapestries on cartoons by Giuseppe Arcimboldi. The dome is by Filippo Juvarra.
- San Fedele, a Romanesque church erected around 1120 over a pre-existing central plan edifice. The contemporary bell tower was rebuilt in modern times. The main feautre is the famous Door of St. Fedele, carved with medieval decorations.
- Sant'Agostino, built by the Cistercians in the early 14th century, but largely renovated in the 20th century. The interior and the annexed cloister have frescoes from the 15th-17th centuries, but most of the decoration comes from the Baroque era.
- The Romanesque church of Sant'Abbondio, consecrated in 1095 by Pope Urban II. The interior, with a nave and four aisles, contains beautiful paintings dating to the 11th century and frescoes from the 14th.
- San Carpoforo (11th century, apse and crypt from 12th century). According to tradition, it was founded re-using a former temple of the God Mercury to house the remains of St. Carpoforus and other local martyrs.
Public edifices and other sights
- Broletto (ancient Town Hall)
- 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, built from 1797 in neoclassicist style by the Odescalchi family. It housed Napoleon Bonaparte, Ugo Foscolo, Metternich, Emperor Francis Ferdinand I, Giuseppe Garibaldi and other eminent figures. It is now seat of exhibitions.
- Villa Melzi (1808-1810), with a magnificent panorama over the Lake. It has a famous giardino all'Italiana. According to tradition, Franz Liszt composed here some of his most famous piano sonatas.
- Villa Carlotta (c. 1690). It has an English-style park, and a collection of marbles by Canova, reliefs by Thorvaldsen and others.
- 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:
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 ([1]) - Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and other courses
- Politecnico di Milano - polo di Como ([2]) - Environmental, Computer and Management Engineering courses
Transportation
Trains
The Servizio Ferroviario Regionale connects Como by train to other major cities in Lombardy (R lines). Services are provided by Trenitalia (a.k.a. Ferrovie dello Stato: FS) (website) and LeNORD (website) through two main stations: Como S. Giovanni (Trenitalia) and Como Lago (LeNORD). There is another urban station served by Trenitalia (Albate) and three more urban stations served by LeNORD (Como Borghi-Università, Como Camerlata and Grandate Breccia). A trip to Milan costs 3.50€.From 2008 Como will also be connected to Milan with the line S9 of the Servizio Ferroviario Suburbano (S).
Local transport
The local public transport network counts 10 urban (within city limits) lines and 'extra-urban' (crossing city limits) (C) lines connecting Como with most of its province centers. They are provided by SPTLinea (website).
Urban Lines
Line 1: Chiasso FS - S.Fermo
Line 3: Lora - Grandate
Line 4: S.Giovanni FS - Camnago V.
Line 5: S.Giovanni FS - Civiglio
Line 6: Maslianico - Albate
Line 7: Sagnino - Lora
Line 8: S.Giovanni FS - Casnate
Line 9: P.za Cavour - Cimitero
Line 10: Albate - Navedano
Line 11: P.Chiasso - Bassone
Line 12: Camerlata-S.Fermo-Tavernola
Urban bus tickets have to be bought before boarding the bus in newstands or bars, a ticket for a single ride costs 1€, while a ticket for 75 minutes costs 1.05€.
Ferrovie Nord Milano also provides other bus lines connecting Como to Varese in substitution of the original railway line that was dismissed in the 1960s.
The funicolare (funicular) connects the center of Como with Brunate, a small village (1800 inhabitants) on a mountain at 715 meters above sea level. The journey takes about 7 minutes and the view is worth the trip: it can also be the starting point for a stroll on the mountains.
The boats and 'aliscafi' of Navigazione Lago di Como connect the town with most of the villages sitting on the shores of the lake, the former are slower and right for sightseeing, the latter are faster and make less stops.
A taxi service is provided by the Comune di Como.
Airports
The nearest airports are Milano Malpensa and Lugano Agno. Milano Malpensa can be reached in about 1 hour either by bus (line C250) or by train (LeNORD for 8.10€), with interchange in Saronno.Other airports in the area include Milano Linate and Bergamo Orio al Serio. Both can be reached with shuttle buses from the Stazione Centrale in Milan, the former is also served by trams of the public transport system of Milan.
External links
Categories
1st century BC establishments | Cities and towns in Lombardy | Cathedrals in Italy
