Lake Como

In post offices and telephone exchanges around Como, clock times differ as much as 15 minutes. Forty years ago an Italian's response to this was; "Why worry about such a little matter? We are going to be late anyhow." After a while people learned to accept such casualness towards time.

Como had been a dream as much as it was a nightmare - some centuries ago. It was ruled by Romans, Etruscans and Celts. It was colonized by Caesar -then decayed- it was vandalized by Goths and Ostrogoths. Como was a merry-go-round of French, Austrian and Spanish rule until the middle of the 19th century when it became Italian.

Today the cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore over stands the city-its entrance doors are flanked in statues of Pliny and the younger Pliny-Roman statesmen owning properties on Como. It was a fine blending of Gothic and Renaissance architecture started in the 14th century.

This cathedral is fascinating with its "Door of the Frog," in Italian; "Porta della Rana," an intricately carved frog decoration chiseled on by the Como masons and slyly unhinged by vandals. In the 18th century a priest was notified of a treasure of silver and gold which had been buried beneath this frog door. After Como had approved a treasure hunt, they hunted for a week, unfortunately no treasure was found there.

Another View of Lake Como

Como's lake front was lined with a boatman's heaven specked in hydrofoils, ferries, steamers, sailboats, and the local "Lucias" a rowboat with standing rowers.

One of Como's best known silk firms was the establishment of Antonio Ratti whose been established since 1945. He produces silk ties, scarves and rich silk materials. Silk has been grown and woven in Como since the 16th century- it used to be a large part of the economy. At one time a member of the Sforza family, a ruler, required every family living in Como to produce a certain number of silk worm cocoons each year.

Como's eastern shore was dotted with resorts and Varenna was a favorite with tourists. It was here that in the 6th century lived Queen Theodolinda who once possessed the Iron Crown of the Lombardy Region-one of the most history-laden royal headdress's in the world.

She was the daughter of the King of Bavaria and married to the king of the Lombards for a short time until she proceeded to marry the Duke of Turin. Theodolinda has left Lake Como another ever important legacy. She ordered a street to be built, known as the "La Strada Regina," the Queen's Way-this linked the villages along the western shores. Lake Como, its shore dwellers like to say, is shaped like a man striding westward with his front foot in Como, and his back foot in Lecco. In between these legs is a bluff of delight-at its tip hides the Punta Spartivento-The Point That Parts the Wind.

Lake Bracciano - Italy.

This is where Bellagio lies, a favorite retreat in the time of the Caesars, and a Mecca for modern travelers. Many nobles and important figures of the past have enjoyed the views, including Stendhal. Composer Franz Liszt paid a lengthy visit in 1837, and here wrote his lyrical Dante Fantasia. One of Bellagio's principal attractions is the Villa Serbelloni originally built in the 15th century. In the 1930's it was purchased by an American-born princess Della Torre e Tasso who in 1959 when she died, left it to the Rockefeller Foundation.

Another great villa on Lake Como is the Villa D'Este right on the lakeshore in Cernobbio, a little ways North of Como. It was turned into one of the most luxurious modern day hotels and in the past it served for Queen Caroline's residence- the odd wife of England's George IV.

Lake Maggiore - Italy.

With Como's delightion to the eye, it offers a mountain village that warms the soul. It is the village of Premana- the road to Premana is tight, tiring and treacherous and so old that no one could ever keep track of it. It was settled way back to Roman times-its people metalworkers by trade. The magnificence of islands lie high above Lake Maggiore and carefully sculptured gardens relish the Isola Bella the isles of the Borromeo counts. They had transformed a bare rock into a 17th century lavish palace. Lush gardens were strategically designed using transported soils. In the garden sits an amphitheatre for guests to watch theatre showings.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda's eastern shores are protected by Mount Baldo; it is rich in Mediterranean flora. Here thrive citrus's and olive trees, and the wine made on this land is one of Italy's best known vintages. Lake Garda has always been a choice place among wealthy Europeans.

By Jackelin J.Jarvis

Sources: National Geographic