Lake Como is hardly known to anyone, although it is one of the largest in the European part of the continent. It has a curious shape, but that is not why it is remarkable for tourists. Since ancient times, famous people have sought to settle on the coast of this reservoir, surrounded by mountains, because of the picturesque landscapes. Today, world stars of show business also prefer to plunge into the calm atmosphere of the Italian north, therefore, along with small towns and villages, the shores are decorated with luxurious cottages.
Description of the geography of Lake Como
Most people do not know where Como is, because it is located in the north of Italy, far from the sea coast. From Milan you need to drive closer to the border with Switzerland. In fact, the reservoir is surrounded by mountains, and itself is raised above sea level by 200 m.In the south, the hilly terrain is not higher than 600 m, and from the north, granite mountains reach an altitude of 2400 m.
The lake has a peculiar shape in the form of three rays directed in different directions. Someone compares a pond with a slingshot. The length of each arm is approximately 26 km. The surface area is 146 sq. km. The reservoir is known as the deepest in Europe, its maximum depth reaches 410 m, the average does not exceed 155 m.
Three rivers flow into Como: Fumelatte, Mera and Adda. The latter brings most of the water into the lake and also flows out of it. There is a lot of vegetation around the reservoir, it is not without reason that these are the most beautiful places in this part of the country. Compared to the flat part of northern Italy, due to the Alpine mountains, fogs do not reach the reservoir, but there are prevailing winds here: southern breva and northern tivano.
The climate in this part is continental, and due to the location in the mountainous area, the air temperature is lower than in the south of the country. However, it does not drop to zero during the year. Lake Como water is quite cool even in summer, as there are a lot of underwater springs at the bottom. Snow can fall in winter, but it rarely lasts longer than a few days.
Attractions in the vicinity of the lake
The lake is surrounded by small towns, each of which has something to see. Most of the sights are religious in nature, but there are also modern villas that surprise with their uniqueness of style. For those who love a cultural holiday, it is recommended to visit Como and Lecco, as well as the island of Comacina.
It is worth noting what to see next to the reservoir, in the form of a small list, because there are enough interesting places to fill the day with impressions of exploring the surroundings of Lake Como. Tourists often visit:
The only island in Como is called Comacina. Previously, it was used to protect the adjacent territory, and today representatives of the society of artists gather here. Tourists can admire the landscapes with the ruins of the Middle Ages and even purchase pictures made by local painters.
Interesting facts about the Italian reservoir
Lake Como has another name - Lario. Mentions about him came from ancient Roman literature. The word is of Dolatin origin, which modern linguists translate as “deep place”. In the Middle Ages, the reservoir was called lacus commacinus, and later it was shortened to Como. It is believed that such a reduction is associated with the city that appeared on the shore of the lake. True, according to some sources, each branch is given a separate name in accordance with the names of large settlements located on the coast.
An unusual lake, or rather picturesque views around it, are of interest to creative people. For example, on the island, painters who have organized a club of artists often gather and draw inspiration from admiring the beauty of Italy. You can also see Como in famous films, because at the reservoir the shooting of "Ocean's Twelve", "Casino Royale", one of the parts of "Star Wars" and other films were taken. Perhaps this is what prompted George Clooney to buy a villa in northern Italy, surrounded by small towns, where there is rarely an influx of tourists.
We advise you to look at the Plitvice Lakes.
Few people know that the small town of Bellagio is famous for its Christmas tree decorations. In this quiet place, there are still factories that use blown glass technology to produce works of amazing beauty. One has only to look into the shop with New Year's accessories, and it seems that the whole world is immersed in a festive fairy tale.
Information for tourists
It is important for guests who come here to know how to get to the picturesque places and whether it is possible to stay here for the night if necessary. From Milan you can take the train to Colico or Varenna, and there is also a bus to Como. It is easy to navigate the lake by water transport. In large settlements, mainly in the southern part, there are many hotels ready to accommodate tourists with maximum comfort. Moreover, there are even entire villas for rent so that visitors to northern Italy can experience the local flavor to the fullest.
A trip to the famous reservoir would attract little tourists if there were no equipped beaches here. The question often arises whether they swim in Lake Como, because even in summer the air temperature is rarely above 30 degrees. On hot days near the coast, the water warms up enough to swim in it, however, you should not choose a backwater where foam has already appeared.
Anglers will certainly appreciate the opportunity to go out into the lake for trout or perch. There are a lot of fish here, which are allowed to fish upon receipt of a pass valid for the whole year. The cost of the permit is 30 euros. However, even ordinary boating on the water surface will bring many positive emotions, as well as give unforgettable memory photos.
