| Comune di Como | |
|---|---|
 |
|
 Municipal coat of arms |
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| Country |  Italy |
| Region | Lombardy |
| Province | Como (CO) |
| Mayor | Stefano Bruni (since 2002-05-28) |
| Elevation | 201 m (659 ft) |
| Area | 37 km² (14 sq mi) |
| Population (as of December 31, 2004) | |
| - Total | 83,016 |
| - Density | 2,244/km² (5,812/sq mi) |
| Time zone | CET, UTC+1 |
| Coordinates | |
| Gentilic | Comaschi |
| Dialing code | 031 |
| Postal code | 22100 |
| Frazioni | Ponte Chiasso, Garzola, Sagnino, Monteolimpino, Tavernola, Camnago Volta, Lora, Prestino, Breccia, Rebbio, Civiglio, Muggió, Albate |
| Patron | Saint Abbondio |
| - Day | August 31 |
| Website: www.comune.como.it | |
Como (Comm in the local dialect of Western Lombard language) is a city in Lombardy, Italy, 45 kilometres (28 mi) north of Milan. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Lombardy (Lombardia Latin: Langobardia, Western Lombard: Lumbardìa, Eastern Lombard: Lombardia) is one of the In Italy, a Province (in Italian provincia) is an administrative division of intermediate level between Municipality ( Comune The Province of Como (Provincia di Como is a province in the north of the Lombardy region of Italy and borders the Swiss cantons of See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 585 BC - A Solar eclipse occurs as predicted by Greek philosopher and scientist Thales, while Alyattes is battling Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Central European Time ( CET) is one of the names of the Time zone that is 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. UTC+1 is used in the following locations Central European Time West Africa Time Western European Summer Time A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. A demonym or gentilic is a word that denotes the members of a People or the inhabitants of a place Here are a list of area codes in Italy. All numbers here begin with the country code (0039 A frazione, in Italy, is the name given in administrative law to a type of territorial subdivision of a Comune; for other Administrative Saint Abundius (also Abondius, Abundias, or Abbondio; early fifth century – 469 was a Bishop of Como, northern Italy Events 1056 - Byzantine Empress Theodora becomes ill dying suddenly a few days later without children to succeed the Throne The official language of Italy is Standard Italian, a descendant of the Tuscan dialect and a direct descendant of Latin (some 75% of Italian words are of Latin origin Western Lombard is a Romance language spoken in Italy, in the Lombard provinces of Milan, Monza, Varese, Como A city is an Urban area with a large Population and a particular Administrative, Legal, or Historical status Lombardy (Lombardia Latin: Langobardia, Western Lombard: Lumbardìa, Eastern Lombard: Lombardia) is one of the Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Milan (Milano Milan (listen) is one of the largest cities in Italy, located in the plains of Lombardy. Situated at the southern tip of the south-west arm of Lake Como, it is the capital of the province of Como. Lake Como ( Lago di Como in Italian, also known as Lario; Lach de Comm in Insubric; Latin: Larius Lacus) is a The Province of Como (Provincia di Como is a province in the north of the Lombardy region of Italy and borders the Swiss cantons of
Contents |
History
The hills surrounding the current location of Como were inhabited in prehistoric times, at least since the Bronze Age. The term Bronze Age refers to a period in human cultural development when the most advanced Metalworking (at least in systematic and widespread use included techniques for Remains of settlements are still present on the wood covered hills to the South West of town. The people that inhabited these settlements were known as the Orobii, a Celtic tribe.
Around the 1st century BC the territory became subjected to the Romans. The 1st century BC started the first day of 100 BC and ended the last day of 1 BC. The first center was situated on the nearby hills, but it was then moved to its current location by order of Julius Caesar, who had the swamp near the southern tip of the lake drained and laid the plan of the walled city in the typical grid of perpendicular streets. The newly founded town was named Novum Comum and had the status of municipium.
In 774 the town surrendered to the invasion of the Franks led by Charlemagne, and it became a center of commercial exchange. The Franks or Frankish people (Franci or gens Francorum) were West Germanic tribes first identified in the 3rd century as an Ethnic group Charlemagne (ˈʃɑrlɨmeɪn Carolus Magnus or Karolus Magnus meaning Charles the Great) (747 – 28 January 814 was King of the Franks from 768 to his
In 1127 Como lost the decade-long war against the nearby town of Milan. Milan (Milano Milan (listen) is one of the largest cities in Italy, located in the plains of Lombardy. A few decades later, with the help of Frederick Barbarossa, the Comaschi could avenge their defeat when Milan was destroyed in 1162. Frederick I Barbarossa (1122 &ndash 10 June 1190) was elected King of Germany at Frankfurt on 4 March 1152 and crowned Frederick promoted the construction of several defensive towers around the city limits, of which only one remains, the Baradello.
From then on the history of Como followed that of the Ducato di Milano, through the French invasion, then the Spanish domination until 1714, when the territory was taken by the Austrians. Napoleon descended into Lombardy in 1796 and ruled it until 1815, when the Austrian rule was resumed after the Congress of Vienna. Napoleon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821 was a French military and political leader who had a significant impact on the History of Europe. The Congress of Vienna was a conference of ambassadors of the major powers of Europe, chaired by the Austrian statesman Clemens Wenzel von Metternich Finally in 1859, with the arrival of Giuseppe Garibaldi, the town was freed from the Austrians and it became part of the newly formed Kingdom of Italy under the House of Savoy. Garibaldi redirects here for other meanings see Garibaldi (disambiguation. Italian Unification ( Italian: il Risorgimento, or "The Resurgence" was the political and social movement that unified different states of the Italian The House of Savoy (Casa Savoia was formed in the early eleventh century in the historical Savoy region
At the end of World War II, after passing through Como on his escape towards Switzerland, Mussolini was taken prisoner and then shot by Comaschi partisans in Giulino di Mezzegra, a small town on the north shores of Como Lake. Lake Como ( Lago di Como in Italian, also known as Lario; Lach de Comm in Insubric; Latin: Larius Lacus) is a
As a curiosity, the Rockefeller fountain that today stands in the Bronx Zoo in New York City was once in the main square by the lakeside. It was bought by William Rockefeller in 1902. William Avery Rockefeller Jr ( May 31, 1841 - June 24, 1922) American financier was a co-founder with his older brother John D
Main sights
Churches
- Duomo (cathedral), begun in 1396 on the site of the previous Romanesque church of Santa Maria Maggiore. Duomo is a generic Italian term for a Cathedral church The formal word for a church that is presently a cathedral is cattedrale; a This article is about the history and organisation of the cathedral The façade was built in 1457, with the notable rose window and a portal flanked by two Renaissance statues of the famous Comaschi, Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger. Gaius or Caius Plinius Secundus, ( AD 23 – August 25, AD 79 better known as Pliny the Elder, was an ancient Author Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus, born Gaius Caecilius or Gaius Caecilius Cilo (61/63 - ca The construction was finished in 1740. The interior is on the Latin cross plan, with Gothic nave and two aisles divided by pilasters, while the transept wing and the relative apses are from the Renaissance age. It includes a carved 16th century choir and tapestries on cartoons by Giuseppe Arcimboldi. Giuseppe Arcimboldo (also spelled Arcimboldi; 1527 - July 11 1593) was an Italian painter best known for creating imaginative The dome is a notable rococo structure by Filippo Juvarra. Rococo is a style of 18th century French art and Interior design. Filippo Juvarra, ( March 7, 1678 - January 31, 1736) was an Italian Architect and Scene Other artworks include 16th-17th centuries tapestries and 16th century paintings by Bernardino Luini and Gaudenzio Ferrari. Bernardino Luini (c 1480/82-1532 was a North Italian painter from Leonardo's circle Gaudenzio Ferrari (c 1471 &ndash January 11, 1546) was a Northern Italian painter and sculptor of the Renaissance
- San Fedele, a Romanesque church erected around 1120 over a pre-existing central plan edifice. The contemporary bell tower was rebuilt in modern times. The main feature is the famous Door of St. Fedele, carved with medieval decorations.
- Sant'Agostino, built by the Cistercians in the early 14th century, but largely renovated in the 20th century. The interior and the annexed cloister have frescoes from the 15th-17th centuries, but most of the decoration comes from the Baroque era.
- The Romanesque basilica of Sant'Abbondio, consecrated in 1095 by Pope Urban II. The Basilica of Sant'Abbondio is a church in Como, Lombardy, northern Italy. Pope The interior, with a nave and four aisles, contains beautiful paintings dating to the 11th century and frescoes from the 14th.
- San Carpoforo (11th century, apse and crypt from 12th century). According to tradition, it was founded re-using a former temple of the God Mercury to house the remains of St. Carpophorus and other local martyrs. "Alipes" redirects here For the Centipede Genus, see Alipes (centipede. Carpophorus Exanthus Cassius Severinus Secundus and Licinius (d
Public edifices and other sights
- The ancient town hall, known as the Broletto
- Casa del Fascio, possibly Giuseppe Terragni's most famous work. Broletto is an ancient Italian word from Medieval Latin "broilum brogilum" which probably derives from a Celtic word The Casa del Fascio, located in Como, northern Italy, is perhaps the most famous work of the Italian Rationalist architect Giuseppe Giuseppe Terragni ( April 18, 1904 - July 19, 1943) was an Italian Architect who worked primarily under the fascist regime It has been described as an early "landmark of modern European architecture".
- Monumento ai caduti (by Giuseppe Terragni)
- Teatro Sociale (by Giuseppe Cusi)
- Villa Olmo, built from 1797 in neoclassicist style by the Odescalchi family. Giuseppe Terragni ( April 18, 1904 - July 19, 1943) was an Italian Architect who worked primarily under the fascist regime Erba-Odescalchi, or Odescalchi-Erba is the name of a Roman aristocratic family It housed Napoleon Bonaparte, Ugo Foscolo, Metternich, Emperor Francis Ferdinand I, Giuseppe Garibaldi and other eminent figures. Napoleon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821 was a French military and political leader who had a significant impact on the History of Europe. Ugo Foscolo ( February 6, 1778 - September 10, 1827) was an Italian writer and poet Garibaldi redirects here for other meanings see Garibaldi (disambiguation. It is now seat of exhibitions.
- Villa Melzi (1808-1810), with a magnificent panorama over the Lake. It has a famous giardino all'Italiana. According to tradition, Franz Liszt composed here some of his most famous piano sonatas.
- Villa Carlotta (c. 1690). It has an English-style park, and a collection of marbles by Canova, reliefs by Thorvaldsen and others. (Albert Bertel Thorvaldsen ( November 19, 1770 – March 24, 1844) was a Danish / Icelandic sculptor
- Ancient walls (medieval)
- Castello Baradello, a small medieval castle.
Museums
- Musei Civici
- Museo archeologico "P. Giovio"
- Museo Storico
- Pinacoteca
- Tempio Voltiano, a museum devoted to Alessandro Volta's work. Count Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio Volta was a Lombard physicist known especially for the development of the first electric cell in
- Museo della Seta
- Museo Liceo classico "A. Volta"
- Villa Olmo (expositions)
Notable Comaschi
Famous people associated with Como include:
- Pliny the Elder (Gaius Plinius Secundus; 23–79 CE), author, natural philosopher and naval and military commander known for the Naturalis Historia. Gaius or Caius Plinius Secundus, ( AD 23 – August 25, AD 79 better known as Pliny the Elder, was an ancient Author An author is defined both as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created For the current in the 19th century German idealism see Naturphilosophie Natural philosophy or the philosophy of nature (from Naturalis Historia ( Latin for "Natural History" is an Encyclopedia written Circa AD 77 by Pliny the Elder.
- Pliny the Younger (Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus; 63–c. Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus, born Gaius Caecilius or Gaius Caecilius Cilo (61/63 - ca 113 CE), a lawyer, an author and a natural philosopher of Ancient Rome. A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law as an attorney, Counsel or Solicitor; a person An author is defined both as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created For the current in the 19th century German idealism see Naturphilosophie Natural philosophy or the philosophy of nature (from Ancient Rome was a Civilization that grew out of a small agricultural community founded on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 10th century BC
- Caecilius c. Lucius Caecilius Iucundus was a banker who lived in the Roman town of Pompeii in the first century 59 BCE A poet, the subject of Catullus's Carmina 35. He had a girlfriend. She was more learned than the Sapphic Muse.
- Benedetto Odescalchi (1611–1689) was Pope Innocent XI from 1676 until his death. Pope Innocent XI ( May 16 1611 &ndash August 12 1689) born Benedetto Odescalchi, was Pope of the Roman Catholic
- Paolo Giovio (1483–1552), a physician, historian and biographer and particularly remembered as a chronicler of the Italian Wars. Paolo Giovio ( April 19 1483 – December 11, 1552) was an Italian physician historian and biographer and prelate
- Alessandro Volta (1745–1827), a physicist known especially for the development of the electric battery in 1800. Count Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio Volta was a Lombard physicist known especially for the development of the first electric cell in
- Giuseppe Terragni (1904–1943), an architect and pioneer of the Italian modern movement who designed Como’s Casa del Fascio, a significant example of Fascist architecture in northern Italy. Giuseppe Terragni ( April 18, 1904 - July 19, 1943) was an Italian Architect who worked primarily under the fascist regime Modernism describes an array of Cultural movements rooted in the changes in Western society in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century The Casa del Fascio, located in Como, northern Italy, is perhaps the most famous work of the Italian Rationalist architect Giuseppe Rationalist-Fascist architecture was an Italian architectural style of the late 1920's promoted and practiced initially by the Gruppo 7 group whose architects included
- Gabriele Oriali (born 1952), 1982 Italian national team footballer World Champion. Gabriele Oriali ( November 25, 1952) is a former football player from Italy who mainly played defensive midfield but could also play center-back
- Max Papis (born 1969), racecar driver in numerous series
- Paola Tagliabue (born 1976), world champion free diver in 2006. Massimiliano "Max" Papis (born October 3, 1969) is a racing driver from Como Italy who has competed in several top-level motorsports series such Paola Tagliabue, born November 7 1976 in Como ( Italy) is a world champion free-diver. Free diving is any of various aquatic activities that share the practice of breath-holding Underwater diving.
- Gianluca Zambrotta (born 1977), an Italian international footballer and World Champion in Germany 2006. Gianluca Zambrotta, Cavaliere Ufficiale OMRI, (born February 19, 1977 in Como, Lombardy, Italy) is an Italian Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered
- Floraleda Sacchi (born 1978), harpist and musicologist
Economy
The economy of Como was traditionally based on industry – the city was world famous for its silk manufacturers. Floraleda Sacchi ( June 14, 1978) is an Italian Harpist Composer and musicologist born in Como. The harp is a Stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicular to the soundboard. Musicology ( Greek: μουσική = "music" and λόγος = "word" or "reason" is the scholarly study of Music Silk is a natural Protein Fiber, some forms of which can be woven into Textiles The best-known type of silk is obtained from cocoons In recent years tourism has become increasingly important. Tourism is Travel for Recreational or Leisure purposes The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who "travel Many celebrities have homes on the shores of Lake Como, for example Matthew Bellamy, Madonna, George Clooney, Gianni Versace, and Sylvester Stallone. Lake Como ( Lago di Como in Italian, also known as Lario; Lach de Comm in Insubric; Latin: Larius Lacus) is a Matthew James Bellamy (born 9 June, 1978) is the main Songwriter and Lead vocalist, Guitarist and Pianist in Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie (born August 16 1958 known as Madonna, is an American George Timothy Clooney (born May 6 1961 is an Academy Award - and Golden Globe award-winning American actor director, producer, Gianni Versace ( December 2, 1946 &ndash July 15, 1997) was an Italian Fashion designer and founder of Gianni Versace S Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone (born July 6 1946 is an American Actor, director, producer and Screenwriter. This has considerably heightened Como's international profile.
Transportation
Trains
The Servizio Ferroviario Regionale connects Como by train to other major cities in Lombardy (R lines). Services are provided by Trenitalia (a. Trenitalia is the primary operator of trains within Italy. Trenitalia is owned by Ferrovie dello Stato, itself owned by the Italian Government. k. a. Ferrovie dello Stato: FS) (website) and LeNORD (website) through two main stations: Como S. Ferrovie Nord Milano (FNM SpA is an Italian public transport company the second largest railway company in Italy Giovanni (Trenitalia) and Como Lago (LeNORD). There is another urban station served by Trenitalia (Albate) and three more urban stations served by LeNORD (Como Borghi-Università, Como Camerlata and Grandate Breccia). A trip to Milan costs 3. 50€.
Local transport
The local public transport network counts 10 urban (within city limits) lines and 'extra-urban' (crossing city limits) (C) lines connecting Como with most of its province centers. They are provided by SPT linea (website).
Urban Lines
Line 1: Chiasso FS – S. Fermo
Line 3: Lora – Grandate
Line 4: S. Giovanni FS – Camnago V.
Line 5: S. Giovanni FS – Civiglio
Line 6: Maslianico – Albate
Line 7: Sagnino – Lora
Line 8: S. Giovanni FS – Casnate
Line 9: P. za Cavour – Cimitero
Line 10: Albate – Navedano
Line 11: P. Chiasso – Bassone
Line 12: Camerlata-S. Fermo-Tavernola
Urban bus tickets have to be bought before boarding the bus in newsstands or bars:
75 minutes ticket: €1. 05
75 minutes ticket (on board): €2. 00
One day ticket: €2. 50
Ferrovie Nord Milano also provides other bus lines connecting Como to Varese in substitution of the original railway line that was dismissed in the 1960s. Ferrovie Nord Milano (FNM SpA is an Italian public transport company the second largest railway company in Italy
The funicolare (funicular) connects the center of Como with Brunate, a small village (1800 inhabitants) on a mountain at 715 meters above sea level. A funicular, also known as a funicular railway, incline, inclined railway, inclined plane, or cliff railway, is a type of self-contained Brunate is an Italian town and commune part of the Province of Como, near Lake Como (northern Italy 50 km north/east from Milan) The journey takes about 7 minutes and the view is worth the trip: it can also be the starting point for a stroll on the mountains.
The boats and 'aliscafi' of Navigazione Lago di Como connect the town with most of the villages sitting on the shores of the lake, the former are slower and right for sightseeing, the latter are faster and make less stops.
A taxi service is provided by the Comune di Como.
Airports
The nearest airports are Milano Malpensa and Lugano Agno. Malpensa Airport is located in the province of Varese, about 50 km from central Milan, Italy. Lugano Airport is a Regional airport in the Lugano area It lies closer to the nearby village of Agno than to Lugano itself and so is usually known as Milano Malpensa can be reached in about 1 hour either by bus (line C250 – dismissed since January 2008) or by train (LeNORD (website) for 8. Ferrovie Nord Milano (FNM SpA is an Italian public transport company the second largest railway company in Italy 10€, interchange in Saronno). Saronno is a Comune of Lombardy, Italy, in the Province of Varese.
Other airports in the area include Milano Linate and Bergamo Orio al Serio. Both can be reached with shuttle buses from the Stazione Centrale in Milan, the former is also served by trams of the public transport system of Milan.
External links
- Official homepage Comune di Como (Italian/English)
- Additional information on Villa Olmo in Como (English)
- Teatro Sociale di Como official website (in Italian)
- Lake Como Navigation Company
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