Comacina Island - Isola Comacina

L' Comacina Island is a small island located in Lake Como.

To know

Geographical notes

The Island is very small, and is located in the western branch of the Lake Como, in front of the towns of Comacina room ed Ossuccio. It is the only island in the lake.

When to go

The best date to visit the Comacina Island is certainly that of the annual San Giovanni festival, celebrated on the Saturday and Sunday of the week in which June 24 falls. Given the overcrowding present in the neighboring areas of the lake shore on the occasion of the anniversary, which is very much felt by the inhabitants of Como and its surroundings, it is suggested to leave early, to avoid parking problems and queues along the road (single lane) along the lake.

However, the climate and the splendid lake landscapes make the island a pleasant visit in all non-winter months, from early spring to early October.

Background

The small island was fortified since the Byzantine era, and was the seat of a fortified garrison that resisted the Lombard domination for over twenty years. Seat of some churches dating back to the early Middle Ages, it lived its period of greatest historical importance on the occasion of the siege of 1169, when it was conquered by the Como troops, allied with the imperial ones of Frederick Barbarossa, and literally razed to the ground by decree of the same emperor. Nothing was built on it until the 17th century, which explains its still almost uncontaminated nature. In 1919 it was sold to the King of Belgium, who ceded it again to Italy the following year.

Culture and traditions

The most traditionally felt event, as well as one of the most famous of the lake, is the annual feast of St. John, which takes place on the weekend following June 24th. On that occasion, a remarkable fireworks display evokes the events of 1169, giving the impression that the whole island, surrounded by numerous boats illuminated by small lights or candles, is on fire, besieged by the Como troops.

The actual show usually starts after 10pm and lasts about an hour. You can assist from the neighbors Comacina room ed Ossuccio (although it is advisable to move in time given the imposing amount of spectators who arrive for the occasion to attend the great event).

The next day, Sunday, a solemn procession crosses the streets of the island, and the traditional regatta of San Giovanni is held, reserved for racing boats (lucie) from the neighboring municipalities.

Territories and tourist destinations

How to get

By plane

• The nearest airport is Milan Malpensa, from which it is possible to reach the city of Como in about 45 minutes by car. It is also possible to use an express train for Milan (Malpensa Express) that you stop at Saronno. From here, take the regional (Trenord) to Como Lake, which also stops at Como Villages, Camerlata is Grandate-Breccia.

By car

• The localities of Ossuccio is Comacina room, the coastal towns closest to the island, can be reached from Como in about 30 minutes by car, using the state road 340 SS340
• From Milan Motorway Milano-Laghi A9, exit "Como Nord", then direction SS 340 Regina towards Menaggio A9

On boat

• Given the absence of bridges, the island can only be reached by ship. You can take a boat from Comacina room or from Ossuccio (10 minutes journey, every hour). There is also the possibility of reaching the island directly from Como by ferry.

By bus

• From Como it is possible to reach Comacina room, located in front of the island, in about an hour's journey using the extra-urban bus line C10 C10
• From Malpensa airport it is possible to take the "Giosy Tours" line (Bellinzona - Chiasso - Malpensa) at a cost of € 20 (€ 34 round trip) to reach Como, with seven daily trips, stops in Chiasso SBB.

How to get around

The island is very small (about 500 meters long by 150 maximum width), and it is possible to move only on foot once disembarked.

What see

• 45.965529.178181 Basilica of Sant'Eufemia. Remains of a Romanesque basilica (7th century), destroyed after the defeat of 1169. 
• Church of San Giovanni Battista. Small church with an adjoining oratory dating back to the late 16th century, located in the northern part of the island. 
• Houses for artists. Built in the late 1930s, they are three rationalist-style buildings built in the period in which the island was recovered after the abandonment of the previous centuries. 

What to do

Although the feast of St. John is by far the most recommended occasion for a visit, arriving by boat is in itself a perfect activity for a sunny day. It is the ideal place for a trip out of town, topped off with a lunch in the local restaurant and a walk to discover the Romanesque ruins.

At the table

• Locanda dell'Isola Comacina, ☎ 39 0344 55083. fixed menu € 80. Typical restaurant with fixed menu and traditional Como dishes 

Safety

Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Comacina Island
• Commons contains images or other files on Comacina Island

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