Author Archives: comocompanion

About comocompanion

I am an Englishman in Como, Northern Italy - definitely both a Euro and Italophile with an interest in modern history, walks in the hills and mountains, and food and wine. I favour 'slow' tourism alongside of 'slow' food.

Water Taxis and Lake Como’s Vaporina

Posted on June 22, 2022 by comocompanion

A ride in a water taxi on Lake Como, either taken out of necessity or convenience, is a pleasure in itself. Water taxis go far beyond their evident practicality by offering comfort and inimitable style. The style of these boats has long been dominated by Venetian design, Lake Como is in the process of re-establishing its own brand of boat – the Vaporina designed specifically for our waters. Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, History, industry, Lake, Places of interest | Tagged Boat design, Cantiere, Como, Daniele Riva, Elettra, Ernesta Riva, Il Sereno, Laglio, Lake Como, Mani Frers, Patricia Urquiola, Torno, Vaporina, water taxis | Leave a comment

Como Destroys Neighbouring Torno (500 Years Ago)

Posted on June 11, 2022 by comocompanion

June 11th will mark the 500th anniversary of the sacking and almost total destruction of Torno by a Spanish led army consisting of mercenaries and residents of Como. That event stands alongside the destruction of Isola Comacina in 1169 by Federico Barbarossa’s Como army as one of the more brutal acts of aggression meted out by near neighbours on our leg of the lake. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Como’s Latest Art Acquisition

Posted on May 8, 2022 by comocompanion

The Salone d’Onore in Como’s art gallery could now be renamed the St Michael room now it has acquired another Baroque canvas depicting the warrior saint – by Paolo Pagani Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Culture, People, Places of interest, Uncategorized | Tagged Archangel, Art museum, baroque, Castello, Cesare Pagani, Frescoes, Lake Lugano, Nymphs, Paolo Pagani, Saint Michael, Satyrs, Valsolda | Leave a comment

Como’s Heart Lies in the Bronx

Posted on April 25, 2022 by comocompanion

Como’s loss is New York’s gain – the heart of Piazza Cavour transplanted in 1903 to the Bronx Zoo, leaving a barren space in the middle of the city. Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Culture, History, People, Uncategorized | Tagged Bronx Zoo, Daniele Travi, fountains, marble, Sebastiano Mondolfo, sorsasso, Villa Volonte, William Rockefeller | Leave a comment

Moltrasio: The Power of Civic Pride

Posted on April 14, 2022 by comocompanion

Moltrasio, 10 kms from Como, is well worth a visit and the volunteers of the local Pro Moltrasio association have worked hard to ensure you get the best of what the town has to offer. Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Culture, Food, History, Itineraries, Lake, Places of interest, Walks | Tagged bellini, FAI, Imperialino, Moltrasina, Moltrasio, Pizzallo, Pro Moltrasio, Quarries, stone, Villa Passalacqua, Villa Salterio, waterfalls, Winston Churchill | Leave a comment

Como’s City Walls

Posted on March 29, 2022 by comocompanion

Como has a lot of ‘history’ and the city’s walls provide visible evidence of the fact. They survive to this day due to the strategic location of the city and its desire to enforce customs duties on all goods passing through its gates. Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Gardens, History, Places of interest, Uncategorized | Tagged Baradello, Castello della Torre Rotonda, Cittadella Viscontea, Como, Federico Barbarossa, Ghibellines, Guelphs, Hanging Gardens, History, Medieval Walls, Moltrasio stone, Porta Nuova, Porta Pretoria, Porta Torre, Roman remains, Roman Walls, Rusca, Teatro Sociale, Visconti, Vittani | 3 Comments

‘James Bond’ Returns to Lake Como

Posted on March 11, 2022 by comocompanion

Dick ‘James Bond’ Mallaby’s second secret mission to Lake Como has him posing as Capt. Richard Tucker with a proposal that would put him at the centre of a diplomatic maelstrom as victors and vanquished seek to shape a new European order following the collapse of Nazi Germany. Continue reading →

Posted in Events, History, Lake, People, Politics | Tagged Allen Dulles, Dick Mallaby, Don Giovanni Barbareschi, double agents, Fiamme Verdi, Jock McCaffery, Joseph Voetterl, KArl Wolff, OSS, Schuster, SOE, spies, Villa Carminati, Villa Locatelli | Leave a comment

Swimability Datafest for Lake Como

Posted on February 28, 2022 by comocompanion

For wild swimmers a warm sun glistening off clear fresh water is one of the most enticing of summer pleasures – but one that needs to be consumed with care following a minimum of preparation. For instance, how do you choose where best to take to the water? Our datafest is here to help you select your favoured destination. Continue reading →

Posted in Itineraries, Lake, Places of interest, Uncategorized | Tagged beaches, e-coli, Lido, pollution, swimming, tourism, water quality, wild swimming | Leave a comment

Como to Chiasso – Trying to Escape the Holocaust

Posted on February 10, 2022 by comocompanion

Como witnessed the Holocaust – due to its border with Switzerland, Como became a place of both treachery and humanity – offering the opportunity for salvation or the road to extermination Continue reading →

Posted in History, People, Politics, Uncategorized | Tagged Antisemitism, Binario 21, Bisbino, CDEC, Guido Levi, holocaust, Holocaust victims, Joseph Votterl, Luigi del Monte, Luigina Ascoli, Race Laws, San Donnino, Shoah, Valle di Muggio, Villa Carminati, Villa Locatelli | Leave a comment

Lake Como Boatyards: Luxury Boats

Posted on January 13, 2022 by comocompanion

Lake Como’s boatyards have been building luxury boats for the last 200 years and will continue to do so for years to come. Even if we are never likely to own one, we can all experience the joy of a journey in a vintage Venetian-style water taxi. Continue reading →