Category Archives: crime

True Crime in Como – the Molteni Murder

The ‘Delitto Molteni’ is a local true crime story which contains some elements of tragedy within it. A respected architect is accidentally murdered in a plot hatched by his ex-wife and her lover. He dies and they end up with long terms in prison with a further 10 people convicted for their involvement. Continue reading

Posted in crime, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Como’s Changing Lakefront

Como is justifiably famous for the beauty of its natural surroundings and of its ancient walled city, for the inventiveness and quality of its silk production and for the creativity and skills of its artists and artisans throughout the centuries. The list of positives does not end there but it also ranks as the city with the longest, worst managed and corrupted civil engineering project throughout Northern Italy – but an end to the flood defence project is finally in sight. Continue reading

Posted in crime, Lake, People, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Romantic Era of Smuggling: A Game of Cat and Mouse on Lake Como

The Romantic Era of Smuggling: A Game of Cat and Mouse on Lake Como. Smuggling was common along the entire length of Italy’s northern border but particularly prevalent around the lakes so much as to become a key element in local folklore. Continue reading

Posted in crime, Culture, Folklore, History, Itineraries, Lake, People, Uncategorized, Walks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hollywood, Gucci and Lake Como

Hollywood, Gucci and Lake Como. On 17th March Hollywood will descend on Lake Como for a day of filming at the Villa Balbiano. The film is about the Gucci family and the murder of Maurizio Gucci ordered by his estranged wife, Patrizia Reggiani. Continue reading

Posted in crime, Culture, Events, Lake, People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cleaning Up Como’s Tax Office

Cleaning Up Como’s Tax Office. The Director of the Province of Como’s tax office (the Agenzia delle Entrate) has been convicted of taking bribes in exchange for heavily discounting local businessmen’s tax bills at a cost of €2 million in lost revenue. Continue reading

Posted in crime, People, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Escape to Switzerland via Monte Bisbino

Escape to Switzerland via Monte Bisbino – the story of Anna Sacerdoti and her family and how they avoided deportation – to honour this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day. Continue reading

Posted in crime, History, People, Politics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Shadow of the Mafia over Como

Shadow of the Mafia over Como following the arrest of 34 operating a scam involving the deliberate bankruptcy of 40 cooperatives and the closure of Pane e Tulipani in Como’s old town. Continue reading

Posted in crime, People, Politics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

R.I.P. Noir in Festival at Como

Covid has wounded ‘Noir in Festival’ this year but at least there are the online interviews and we hope the festival will be back in Como next year. Continue reading

Posted in crime, Culture, Events, People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Como’s Train Station, Witches and the Inquisition

Como’s Train Station, Witches and the Inquisition. Few travellers arriving at Como’s San Giovanni Station know they are on top of the remains of a monastery where innocent victims faced torture and being burnt at the stake. Continue reading

Posted in Art, crime, Culture, Folklore, History, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Como’s Star-Crossed Lovers: 2 – ‘Gianna’ and ‘Neri’

Como’s Star-Crossed Lovers: 2 – ‘Gianna’ and ‘Neri’ On 6th January 1945 two lovers were arrested by fascists. 3 months later, they were murdered by their own colleagues on the orders of Communist leaders in Milan. An awful tragedy. Continue reading

Posted in crime, History, People, Politics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment