Where is
What it is and where it is
Comacina Island is located a short distance from the western shore of Lake Como, between Sala Comacina and Ossuccio, in the municipality of Tremezzina. It is the only island on the Lario, has an elongated shape and an area of about 7 hectares in its mostly natural state: the outer, sunny part, to meadows and olive groves; the inner, shady part, to woods. The distance from the shore is shortest at the ends and greatest at the intermediate point: the island thus forms a well-protected body of water, in fact a natural harbor. For this reason, the island already became a military stronghold in Roman times, allowing the control of land and water communications along the Lake Como route.
Why it is special
The island has a fictional history, leading back in time to the re-foundation of Como promoted by Julius Caesar in 59 BC. When the empire fell, it was one of the last strongholds of the Byzantines, conquered after a long siege by the Lombards. It became the seat of a real city, yielding only to the forces of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, who razed it to the ground in 1169. Its ruins would only re-emerge in the early 20th century, when it became one of the most important medieval archaeological sites in Lombardy.
Not to be missed
The historical events of the island are the main theme of the Sagra di San Giovanni, held on the weekend of June 24: on Saturday evening the siege of the island by Barbarossa is re-enacted by a fireworks display that ends with the apparent burning of the island; on Sunday, however, there is a costume procession in traditional Larian boats, which ends with a religious celebration among the ruins of the basilica of Sant'Eufemia.
A bit of history
Colonized by the Romans, the island became a protagonist of great history in 1169, when it was the scene of the siege laid by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, who razed to the ground every building, including the four churches that stood there. Uninhabited for centuries, the island is frequented only by those who cultivate its terraced slope with vines and olive trees. Medieval ruins came to light again in the early 20th century, making the island one of the tourist attractions of Lake Como, which has since become an international tourist destination, especially favored by British travelers.
Trivia
In 1919 the last owner donated the island to the King of Belgium, out of a debt of gratitude accrued during World War I. The following year the sovereign entrusted the island to the Brera Academy to make it a place of meeting and artistic inspiration. To fulfill this commitment in the 1930s, three small villas were built, designed by rationalist architect Pietro Lingeri, which are still used to host international artists.
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