Tag Archives: Como

Love, War and Death on Lake Como – The Tragic End of Gina Ruberti

Posted on January 26, 2023 by comocompanion

It is most unlikely that current guests at Blevio’s Mandarin Oriental are reminded of the tragedy that took place on the night of 3rd May 1946 when a famous resident of the Villa Roccabruna drowned in the lake while attempting to cross back home from Moltrasio. That person was Gina Ruberti, better known as Gina Mussolini – the dictator’s daughter-in-law. Continue reading →

Posted in History, Lake, People | Tagged blevio, Bruno Mussolini, Como, Gina Ruberti, History, Lake Como, Mandarin Oriental, Mussolini, Villa Roccabruna | Leave a comment

Overnight on the Via dei Monti Lariani

Posted on December 1, 2022 by comocompanion

The Via dei Monti Lariani follows the border with Switzerland running along the crest of the mountains above the western shores of the lake. This walk is one stage along the 124km route with a one night stopover at the Rifugio Venini. Continue reading →

Posted in Itineraries, Places of interest, Uncategorized, Walks | Tagged Argegno, Bellagio, Como, Hiking, Lake Como, Monte Crocione, Rifugio, tourism, Venini, Via dei Monti Lariani, Walks | Leave a comment

The Queen of England’s Como Court

Posted on October 6, 2022 by comocompanion

For a brief period a royal wife and future Queen of Britain held court in Cernobbio – the tragic tale of Queen Caroline of Brunswick and the luxury hotel, Villa D’Este Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Gardens, History, Lake, People | Tagged Baron Pergami, Bartolomeo Pergami, cernobbio, Como, General Pino, George IV, Lake Como, Napoleon, Prince Regent, Princess Caroline, Princess Charlotte, Sir Thomas Lawrence, Teatro Sociale, villa d'este, Villa Sucota | 2 Comments

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’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

True Crime in Como – the Molteni Murder

Posted on September 15, 2021 by comocompanion

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 Alberto Brivio, Cantu, Como, Court of Assizes, Daniela Rho, Molteni, murder, true crime | Leave a comment

Como’s Changing Lakefront

Posted on August 5, 2021 by comocompanion

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 Amici di Como, ANAC, Como, flood defences, floods, Lake Como, lakefront, Mario Lucini, paratie, Pietro Gilardoni, Roberto Maroni, SACAIM | Leave a comment

Como: The Potential for Cultural Tourism

Posted on June 23, 2021 by comocompanion

Como and Cultural Tourism – a sustainable form of tourism with the potential of increasing the length of visitor stays – for the benefit of tourists and residents alike. Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Culture, Itineraries, Places of interest, Uncategorized | Tagged Como, cultural tourism, Culture, iubilantes, monumenti aperti, poets way, tourism, Villa Olmo | Leave a comment

Anomalous Waves on Lake Como

Posted on August 27, 2020 by comocompanion

Anomalous Waves on Lake Como. Alpine lakes can experience tsunami-like anomalous waves. These and other extreme weather events have massive destructive power and demand that we treat our natural environment with respect. Continue reading →

Posted in Events, History, Lake, Uncategorized | Tagged Adda, Anomalous waves, Bellagio, Como, ecology, floods, Lake leman, landslides, Lenno, Piazza Cavour, Pliny the Younger, prealps, sediment, tsunami, Vajont, Val Pola, Valtellina, Villa Commedia | Leave a comment

Swimability 2020: ‘Excellent’ Lake Bathing

Posted on July 8, 2020 by comocompanion

Swimability 2020: ‘Excellent’ Lake Bathing. The season is starting late and I had feared that lockdown may have impacted pollution of the lake’s water – but all is well and most beaches have excellent clean results. Continue reading →