![\"City](\"https:\/\/www.zainoo.com\/blog\/en\/files\/2020\/09\/Como_209731504_byvalet-300x200.jpg\")
\u00a9Bigstock.com\/byvalet<\/p><\/div>\n
It would appear that the lake and its surrounding hills have always been very popular as some finds hint at settlements as early as the 10th<\/sup> century BC which would thrive until a devastating Celtic raid. It is believed that Comum, to use the Roman name, was actually founded by the Gaul. The eventual Roman colony was heavily expanded and fortified under Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo and Caesar for protection against Rhaetian attacks. The lake of the once wealthy place with a flourishing iron industry used to be home to numerous villas.<\/p>\n Early Germanic invasions heavily affected Como with people only returning in Lombard times. A latent conflict with the archbishops o Milan resulted in a gruelling cycle of war, occupation, relief and devastation. Frequently changing rulers during the Middle Ages eventually brought Como back under Milanese rule in 1450 before the town \u2013 like the rest of Lombardy \u2013 became Spanish dominion. Later centuries saw Como fall to Austria, the Cisalpine Republic, Napoleon\u2019s Italian kingdom, and back to Austria before Giuseppe Garibaldi freed the town in 1859 for it to become part of the new Kingdom of Italy.<\/p>\n Como Cathedral<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a9Bigstock.com\/boggy<\/p><\/div>\n This extensively short overview \u2013 we stan oxymorons! \u2013 shows that Como\u2019s history is everything but linear. Changing rulers and dynasties left a highly multifaceted cityscape dominated by the cathedral. Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, to use its full name, is in the heart of the historic centre and was the final Gothic cathedral to be built in all of Lombardy. There actually had already been a cathedral \u2013 Santa Maria Maggiore near the lake was built in the 9th<\/sup> century \u2013 but the planned restoration that started in the late 14th<\/sup> century eventually turned into a completely new building.<\/p>\n You probably won\u2019t be surprised to hear that things didn\u2019t quite go as planned leading to several construction phases. The main apse, the sacristies and the wings were done by 1519, the south and the north apse only followed about a century later and the cupola wouldn\u2019t be completed until the mid-18th<\/sup> century. Even though the construction phases extended into and far beyond the Renaissance, there\u2019s very little to be seen of these different architectural and artistic eras. Como Cathedral is decorated with numerous grand works of arts including statues of Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger, both natives of Como, and astounding altarpieces. The cathedral treasury contains the reliquary shrine Urna Volpi with hairs of the Virgin Mary and a hairpin of Mary Magdalene.<\/p>\n Churches and castles in Como<\/strong><\/p>\n Numerous medieval and Romanesque churches, grand palaces and castles inside and around the ancient city walls that were fortified and rebuilt in the Middle Ages give you an idea of the architectural diversity of Como. Time for a brief look at a few select religious and profane building:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Other sights you have to check out<\/strong><\/p>\n Would you like a bit more of Como? Well, duh, it\u2019s not like we can get enough of this riveting city of arts either. Here are some additional favourites:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n While Como might be one of the lesser known cities of arts, it is still worth a visit, not just because of Lake Como. You will discover many a hidden gem from the town\u2019s ancient roots to the very distinct medieval heritage to the eventful later periods and the modern era. Oh, by the way, don\u2019t forget to jump into the lake in summer!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Como, capital of the eponymous province in Lombardy, is situated at the southwest shore of Lake Como. This tourist town in close proximity to the Swiss border and only 45 km from Milan is genuinely stunning. It goes without saying … Continue reading ![\"City](\"https:\/\/www.zainoo.com\/blog\/en\/files\/2020\/09\/Como_322183711_boggy-300x187.jpg\")
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