Like many other Italian subalpine lakes, Lake Como is of glacial origin. During the quaternary, the whole basin was covered with a huge glacier which stretched past the Como and Lecco branches as far as Brianza, where it created the still existing morainic hills.
The lake filled the area hollowed out by the glacier, whose slow passage is witnessed by rocks still showing traces of the erosion and by erratic blocks, particularly on the rises of the so-called Lake Como Triangle. Inhabited since prehistoric times, Lake Como has always played a major role as a line of communication between the northern regions and the Po valley.
The Romans settled in after the Gauls, and under their rule this area gained strategic importance when, on the western shore, they opened up a road linking "Larius" (the lake's Latin name) to Raetia. Subsequently, under the Longobard rule this road, named "Via Regina", was reopened by Queen Theodolind, who had it repaired. Given the strategic importance of the Lake, through which it was possible to reach the Maloja and Splugen passes, for centuries this area had been subject to invasions and foreign dominations.
After the Franks, around the year 1000, Como became a free-city, but still always had to fight for its independence. Subsequently, Como was ruled by the feudal Visconti and Sforza families. They planned to widen the bed of the Adda River to create a waterway junction with the Duchy of Milan. To do so, first of all they opened up the Paderno canal. Afterwards, Como was ruled first by the Spaniards, then by the Austrians and finally, for a spell, even by the French. Last century Como gained world fame because of the novel "The Betrothed", by Alessandro Manzoni, set on the Lecco branch of the Lake.

Characterization of the lake

With a surface of 142 square meters, Lake Como is the third largest lake in Italy, after Lake Garda and Lake Verbano. Its peculiar shape, a Y turned upside down, is due to its three branches: Colico, the northern branch, Lecco, the south east branch, and Como, the south west branch, the total perimeter measures 170 km; its maximum length, between Gera and Cernobbio, is 50 km; its maximum width, between Fiumelatte and Cadenabbia, is 4.4 km, whereas its minimum width, between Careno and Toriggia, is only 650 m; between Como and Argegno, the lake reaches a depth of 410 m which makes it the deepest lake in Europe.
The average altitude above sea level is 199 m. The whole lake is surrounded by mountains; the highest is Monte Legnone (2609 m), over Colico. Lake Como has 37 tributaries, the most important being the Adda, which is also the only effluent, flowing out of the lake at Lecco, and after forming the ponds of Garlate and Olginate, continuing towards the Po. The only island in the Lake is Isola Comacina facing the village of Sala Comacina, on the Como branch.

Landscape

Situated in a basin surrounded by wooded mountains, Lake Como offers an extremely varied landscape. Its shores feature a succession of pastures, woods, harsh and impressive rocks, charming lakeside villages, magnificent mansions with beautiful gardens.
The middle of the Lake, where its three branches come together, has the mildest climate and offers the broadest view. This point can be reached by boat. Here you will enjoy a lovely view of the ancient silhouette of Bellagio, of the northern Grigna mountains overlooking Valsassina, and, with clear skies, of the upper basin with the Alps in the background.
Along the shores, in particular from Cernobbio to Gravedona and Bellagio, you will see wonderful villas and gardens with plenty of flowers as well as exotic and rare plants. For instance, Villa d'Este at Cernobbio, which is today a luxurious hotel, has a magnificent garden as has Villa Passalacqua at Moltrasio.
The wonderful Villa Arconati dominates the Punta di Balbianello at Lenno and is one of the most famous villas in the Tremezzina area together with Villa Carlotta, which is rich in artistic masterpieces and the natural attraction, of its garden full of blossoming flowers. Located on the opposite shore at Bellagio, other Villas, like Villa Serbelloni, which has been turned into a Grand Hotel and Villa Melzi, with its marvellous botanic garden, are really delightful.
The Lecco branch offers the harsh but very suggestive view of the southern Grigna Mountains (2184 m), of dolomitic origin, and of the Corni di Canzo (1373 m), which slope down towards the lake and form charming creeks. Besides the peculiar views of the Lecco branch of the lake which turns southwards, there are natural springs like Fiumelatte, described by Leonardo da Vinci and the impressive Orrido di Bellano situated not far from the Renaissance Villa Monastero at Varenna.

Climate and flora

Lake Corno is renowned for its climate, which is generally mild and humid and thus furthers the growth of a luxuriant vegetation. In winter, in the sunniest areas such as Tremezzina, the temperature is never too cold. In summer, the heat is hardly ever unbeareable, because it is mitigated by a very nice breeze.
There is a varied and lush Mediterranean vegetation; cypresses, laurel trees, camelias, azaleas, rhododendrons, magnolias and palms grow all along the Lake shore. Other, more protected and humid areas have tropical and subtropical vegetation. Villa Carlotta, located in Tremezzo, is world-famous for its marvellous gardens; here, in the warmest season, there is a blooming of azaleas, cacti, southern ferns, palms, conifers, cedars and orange trees. Grape and olive trees are found only in some areas. They are not grown extensively because of the geological structure of the soil.
The lower slopes of the mountains surrounding the Lake are covered with chestnut woods; on their higher levels there are plenty of pastures where in spring daffodils and lilies flourish. Since on the Lake shores there are neither ponds nor still water pools, lacustrine vegetation is scarce and is to be found only in areas like the "Pian del Tivano".