The Fascinating History of Lake Como
Around 10,000 years ago during the last Ice Age, the region where Lake Como lies today was covered with a massive sheet of ice. Its shape was carved out from the mountains, creating a shape similar to the inverted letter Y. During the prehistoric era, people had already settled on the area near the lake. When the Romans conquered the place, they established the Via Regina and their people started settling in it. In the Roman times, Lake Como became a very affluent area because it was the connection for trade between the Rhine Valley and the Po Valley.
The residents of the Lake Como became evangelized with the efforts of Saints like St. Abbondio and St. Felix. During the time of Christianity’s rise, several tribes like the Goths and the Huns noticed Como’s flourishing economy. These two tribes repeatedly conquered the town and imposed heavy taxes on the people. Como became free when Charlemagne’s army defeated the Longobards who had been ruling the area in 774.
During the 12th century, Milan posed threat to Como. Como’s beautiful churches such as the Sant’Abbondio, San Fedele, San Giacomo and San Carpoforo were constructed around those times. In 1158, Frederick I Barbarossa, the Holy Roman Emperor, took the efforts to protect Como from Milan by building several defense towers.
The area fell under the Spanish rule for two centuries after the unsuccessful rule by the French. Como experienced unjust taxation measures and a great decline in their economy. When Charles VI successfully invaded Como, the tax measures by the Spaniards were removed and this step helped the area’s economy to recover.
In 1859, Lake Como finally joined The Kingdom of Italy after Giuseppe Garibaldi triumphed over the Austrians in the Battle of San Fermo. Architects, stonecutters, craftsmen, toolmakers and fishermen helped to build the town once again.
In 1945-1965, people were traumatized by the idea of visiting the lake because Mussolini and Claretta Petacci, his mistress, were captured in Dongo and were killed in Mezzegra in 1945. A few decades later, Como became popular for its silk and textile, furniture and design industries. It has also become a a very famous tourist destination. The town was able to maintain its “small town” atmosphere to reduce the appearance of the Lake Como as being too crowded.
To commemorate Lake Como’s rich history, several festivals are held every year such as the Festival of San Giovanni in the Island of Comacina. This is celebrated with amazing fireworks and beautifully adorned boats scattered on the lake. The boats carry snail shells that have olive oil and lighted to provide illumination.