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Heritage

Isola Comacina

Italy

8 story sections

Continue to Isola Comacina, passing the villages of Brienno, the famous restaurant Il Crotto dei Platani, where the cave that was the den of smugglers and Argegno still exists today.

History & cultureBY TELLBY

Contents

8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines
  1. 1Orientation

    Welcome to Isola Comacina, the only island on Lake Como and arguably one of the most significant archaeological sites in Northern Italy. To the casual observer, it is a picturesque green gem floating in the 'Zoca de l'Oli'—the…

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  2. 2The Antiquarium of Ossuccio — Portal to the Past

    Before we set foot on the island itself, we must visit the Antiquarium of Ossuccio, housed in the restored 'Hospitalis' of Santa Maria Maddalena. As the sources explain, this museum is the essential introduction to the Isola…

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  3. 3Basilica of Sant'Eufemia — The Island's Ghostly Cathedral

    Stepping onto the island, we head to its heart: the ruins of the Basilica of Sant'Eufemia. In the 11th century, this was one of the most magnificent Romanesque churches in the region, a symbol of the island's spiritual and…

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  4. 4The Houses for Artists — Lingeri's Rationalist Vision

    As we walk toward the northern end of the island, we encounter a surprising sight: three modern, minimalist houses. These are the 'Case per Artisti,' designed in 1939 by the renowned architect Pietro Lingeri. …

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  5. 5The Church of San Giovanni — A Baroque Sentinel

    In the center of the island stands the small Church of San Giovanni, the only church that remains largely intact and functional. While the current structure dates back to the 17th century, it was built upon the ruins of a much…

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  6. 6The Archaeological Footpaths — Nature Reclaiming the City

    We now follow the circuit of footpaths that wind around the island's western edge. These paths were part of the 'intense restoration work' mentioned in our sources, designed to allow visitors to explore the island's natural…

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  7. 7The Island as a Living Canvas — Modern Events

    Our final stop is the area near the island's restaurant and event space. As the sources highlight, Isola Comacina is today a 'perfect setting for public and private events,' regularly used as a film set and for high-end photo…

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  8. 8Closing

    As we prepare to leave Isola Comacina, take one last look at the ruins of Sant'Eufemia. This island is a rare example of a place where history was stopped in its tracks by a single act of violence, only to be slowly and carefully…

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What is Isola Comacina?

Isola Comacina is a place in Italy with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.

Key facts
LocationItaly
TypeHeritage
Story sections8
Text languageEnglish
Coordinates45.9650, 9.1677
Last updated

Nearby places

within a 5-minute walk
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