Category Archives: Folklore

Como’s Train Station, Witches and the Inquisition

Posted on August 3, 2020 by comocompanion

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 Art, churches, Folklore, Giubiana, Grissons, Inquisition, Odescalchi, religion, San Giovanni, Valtellina, witchcraft, witches | 1 Comment

Fables, Legends and Folklore: The Festa della Giubiana

Posted on January 29, 2020 by comocompanion

Fables, Legends and Folklore: The Festa della Giubiana. The last Thursday in January is when many Como and Brianza towns burn a witch on a massive bonfire and eat risotto with sausage. Find out where, when and why! Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Events, Folklore, Uncategorized | Tagged Albavilla, Bonfires, Cantu, Canzo, Celebrations, Contadini, festivals, Folklore, Giubiana, January, legends, Peasants | Leave a comment

Argegno to Argegno: Up and Down the Telo Valley

Posted on August 15, 2019 by comocompanion

Argegno to Argegno: Up and Down the Telo Valley – an excursion up the Telo Valley offers opportunities to appreciate both art and nature while passing through the medieval centres of a variety of mountain villages. Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Folklore, Food, Itineraries, Uncategorized, Walks | Tagged Argegno, Art, baroque, Cerano, circular walks, Dizzasco, Intelvi, mills, Muronico, nature, San Zeno, Schignano, Telo, Walks | Leave a comment

Torno’s Santo Chiodo & Conflicts with Como

Posted on May 1, 2019 by comocompanion

Torno’s Santo Chiodo & Conflict with Como: This Sunday, May 5th sees the annual blessing and evening procession through the town of its ‘Santo Chiodo’ or sacred nail – no less than one of the nails used in the crucifixion of Jesus. Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Events, Folklore, History, Places of interest, Uncategorized | Tagged Como, crucifixion, Folklore, isola comacina, lake battles, Lamberto Rusca, Rusca, santo chiodo, Tornaschi, Torno, wool | Leave a comment

Torno Circuit: Piazzaga and Monte Piatto

Posted on April 22, 2019 by comocompanion

Torno Circuit – if I was to plan a walking holiday around Lake Como, Torno would be one of my favoured bases, from where this walk takes you above the Villa Pliniana to Piazzaga and Montepiatto and on to Brunate or Molina. Continue reading →

Posted in Folklore, Itineraries, Lake, Restaurants, Uncategorized, Walks | Tagged Avelli, Brunate, erratics, Montepiatto, mule paths, Piazzaga, pizzocheri, Torno | Leave a comment

Brienno’s Botanic Path – Sentiero Botanico

Posted on January 29, 2019 by comocompanion

Brienno’s Botanic Path – Sentiero Botanico. A stiff uphill climb along the old migration path to summer pastures and on to Posa and Schignano for carnival or he Sentiero delle Espressioni Continue reading →

Posted in Folklore, Itineraries, Lake, Uncategorized, Walks | Tagged brienno, nature, sentiero botanico | Leave a comment

Como’s Four Seasons: 2 – Feasting and Hibernation

Posted on January 9, 2019 by comocompanion

Como’s Four Seasons: 2 – Feasting and Hibernation – the two parts to Como’s winter with the gradual stirrings of life as the natural cycle renews towards Spring. Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Events, Folklore, Uncategorized | Tagged Barni, Cantu, Canzo, Citta dei Balocchi, Folklore, Giubiana, Schignano, Varese | Leave a comment

Christmas Como: Citta dei Balocchi

Posted on December 12, 2018 by comocompanion

Over recent years Como has sought to exceed itself in attracting visitors to its streets over Christmas defining itself as the ‘Citta dei Balocchi’ – a phrase that might roughly be translated as the city of fun and fantasy. The … Continue reading →