Why Lake Como Is More Fascinating Than You Think

Lake Como is surrounded by mountains, with small villages and towns around the shoreline and into the hills. It is an extremely tranquil setting, perfect for relaxing and writing, as well as capturing awesome photo opportunities. But aside from its beauty, Lake Como is also quite interesting. During my stays there, I learned some fun facts about this wonderful location in northern Italy.

• Lake Como is smaller than Lake Garda or Lake Maggiore, although its 106-mile perimeter is longer than either of those lakes.
• Lake Como’s maximum depth is 1345 feet, making it Italy’s deepest lake and one of the deepest in Europe. Years ago, the lake was known as “Lario”, which means “deep place.”
• Lake Como is only an hour away from Milan by train, and there are two main routes. One takes you to Como on the western side of the lake. The other takes you to Lecco or Varenna, on the eastern side.

• The Como region is known for its quality silk production. In 1869, a prestigious school to train silk craftsmen was established, and this further boosted an already booming industry. Just over a century later, in 1972, silk production in Como surpassed that of China and Japan combined. Setificio Paolo Carcano still exists today, and 85% of silk made in Italy comes from Como.

• In Varenna, the charming, small fishing village sits at the bottom of a steep hillside across from Bellagio. Its small steep narrow alleys are called contradas. Each morning and every half hour throughout the day St.George Church rings its bells. At noon the bells ring exactly 67 times as a special devotion to the Blessed Mother. Varenna has less than 800 residents, and is not as commercialized as Bellagio.

• Lake Como’s most popular destination, Bellagio, is frequently called the “Pearl of Lake Como.” Its views are stunning, and the steep accommodation prices reflect the luxury of this village of 3500 residents. Due to the massive crowds during the summer months with thousands of visitors daily, expect long lines everywhere. At its only 5-star luxury hotel, Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni has no problem charging over €10000 for 2 nights, their minimum stay.

• The city of Como has a cable car, the Como–Brunate funicular. This historic cable railway connects Como to the tranquil village of Brunate high above the hills. In seven minutes, it covers 1,084 meters in distance and climbs nearly 494 meters, with a gradient reaching up to 55%. For a panorama view, this ride is not to be missed, and the cost is reasonable at €7.20 and includes a return trip.

If you haven’t been to Lake Como, these informative details might spark an interest. Even when I’ve been to a place over and over, I always learn something new. Isn’t that one of the benefits of traveling?

“Nothing develops intelligence like travel” – Emile Zola

Have you been to Lake Como? What did you find that surprised you? I love feedback, so please consider leaving a comment.

Grazie and Ciao.

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