Colonno

Welcome to Colonno!

Hello everyone! Today we'll talk about Colonno, a town in the province of Como in Lombardy. The town has a population of 460 and is located between Lake Como and the Como Prealps. It belongs to the mountain community of Lario Intelvese and is bordered by Argegno, Pigra, Laino, Tremezzina, Sala Comacina, and Lezzeno. Are you ready? Let's begin!

Physical Geography of Colonno

The town is located on the western shore of the Como branch of Lake Como, offering breathtaking views of the Como Prealps. Monte Costone (1441 m a.s.l.) is part of the Tremezzo-Generoso-Gordona mountain range. The highest point in the municipality (1388 m a.s.l.) is a shared peak with Laino, where the homonymous refuge is located. The only watercourses in the municipality are the Camoggia and Pessetta streams, which partly border the municipal boundaries.

Column: between Lake Como and the Como Prealps.

History of Colonno

The toponym "Colonno" derives probably from "Colonus", indicating the Roman origin of the municipality. Founded in the 1st century BC by Greek colonists brought by Gaius Julius Caesar, Colonno saw the introduction of olive and grape cultivation.

During the renovation of the State Road in 1905, four tombs were discovered between Colonno and Sala by the lake. Two skulls were found in two of them, while in the third, the remains of a young fisherman were found buried with a pot made of ollare stone, a bronze fishing net needle, and a bronze coin of Emperor Diocletian (who reigned from 284 to 305).

In the Middle Ages, the village was linked to Isola Comacina, at that time a fortified village with a castle, following its fortunes during the Middle Ages. With the advent of the Franks, the temporal power of the Diocese of Como increased, expanding their power over the lake shores. Between the end of the 11th century and the first decades of the 12th century, medieval communes began to form in northern Italy, and during that period, Isola Comacina began to achieve some autonomy from Como by electing its own consuls.

Places to visit in Colonno

Colonno is a small yet equally charming town. The panoramic view of Lake Como is incredibly beautiful, and the hike to Monte Costone is a very pleasant walk, especially for nature lovers. The refuge at 1322 meters above sea level offers a breathtaking view of the valley below and is definitely worth visiting.

How to reach Colonno

Colonno is easy to reach. By car, you can reach it from Como by taking the State Road Regina that runs along the lake. Alternatively, you can reach the town by boat, enjoying a truly breathtaking panoramic view of the lake.

Conclusion

In summary, Colonno is a town that undoubtedly deserves to be visited. The panoramic view of Lake Como is unique, and the hike to Monte Costone offers a unique experience, especially for nature lovers. Thank you for reading this brief summary, and happy travels to all!

Martina Caruso
Updated Sunday, Feb 5, 2023