Isola Comacina
Taking the boat from Lenno's landing stage it is possible to quickly reach the Comacina Island, one of the most characteristic attractons of our area.
The history of the island is important from both a religious and strategic viewpoint. During the 6th century conflicts between Byzantines and Longobards, the island became a place of refuge from barbaric dominion. All the richnesses of Como's zone were brought there. Under general Francione the resistance kept high the flag of empire and the island, despite its small dimension, was covered of houses and fortifications. In this period the island takes the name of Cristopolis (City of Christ). It is recounted that in that time a priest from England brougth the Holy Grail to Comacina.
During the Middle Age the island acquired economic and political independence, sometimes allied with Como and sometimes an enemy of it. In 1100 the Island's municipality was constituted and its prosperity grew through its relationship with Milan. But in 1169 the warrior of Como, allied with Federico Barbarossa, and with the help of three "Pievi" (Dongo, Gravedona, Sorico) succeded in invading and burning the island, destroyng it completely. Of the nine churches just one remains. Barbarossa, in a decree of 1175, forbid the reconstruction of any building on the island. The bishop of Como, Vidulfo, excommunicated the island:
"The bells will never ring, the rocks will never be placed one over the other, nobody will do here the work of the publican, the punishment a violent death"
Because of this curse no one came back to the island. The island was ceded from the bishop to the Vacana family.
In 1914 the events suffered by Belgium during the First World War induced the owner Augusto Giuseppe Caprani to donate the island to the king of Belgium, Alberto I. In May of 1920 Alberto I donated the island to Italy as a retreat for Belgian and Italian artitsts. The small villas that once hosted artists and literati are now one of the most important attractions on the island.
Today, in addition to the villas, one can visit a restaurant, a church and ruins from the Middle Ages. Every year, the first Saturday after St.John’day (24 June) the burning of the island is commemorated with a fireworks display.