Italien / Lombardei - Como
Piazza del Duomo
Como (Italian: [ˈkɔːmo] locally [ˈkoːmo] Comasco: Còmm [ˈkɔm],[ Cómm [ˈkom] or Cùmm [ˈkum]; Latin: Novum Comum) is a city and comune (municipality) in Lombardy, Italy. It is the administrative capital of the Province of Como.
Its proximity to Lake Como and to the Alps has made Como a tourist destination, and the city contains numerous works of art, churches, gardens, museums, theatres, parks, and palaces: the Duomo, seat of the Diocese of Como; the Basilica of Sant'Abbondio; the Villa Olmo; the public gardens with the Tempio Voltiano; the Teatro Sociale; the Broletto or the city's medieval town hall; and the 20th-century Casa del Fascio.
Como was the birthplace of many historical figures, including the poet Caecilius mentioned by Catullus in the first century BCE, writers Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger, Pope Innocent XI, scientist Alessandro Volta, and Cosima Liszt, second wife of Richard Wagner and long-term director of the Bayreuth Festival, and Antonio Sant'Elia (1888–1916), a futurist architect and a pioneer of the modern movement.
History
Ancient History
The hills surrounding the current location of Como were inhabited, since at least the Iron Age, by a Celtic tribe known as the Orobii, who also, according to Pliny the Elder and modern scholars, had relations with the Ancient Ligurians, a people very similar to the Celts. Remains of settlements are still present on the wood-covered hills to the southwest of town, around the area of the modern town's district of Rebbio. In the areas of the districts of Breccia, Prestino and the neighbouring towns of San Fermo della Battaglia and Cavallasca there were also settlements of the Golasecca Culture, built in the Iron Age. Later, a second Celtic migration brought the Gaulish peoples in the area of Como, especially the tribe of the Insubres.
Around the first century BC, the territory became subject to the Romans. The town centre was situated on the nearby hills, but it was then moved to its current location by order of Julius Caesar, who had the swamp near the southern tip of the lake drained and laid the plan of the walled city in the typical Roman grid of perpendicular streets. The newly founded town was named Novum Comum and had the status of municipium. In September 2018, Culture Minister Alberto Bonisoli announced the discovery of several hundred gold coins in the basement of the former Cressoni Theater (Teatro Cressoni) in a two-handled soapstone amphora, coins struck by emperors Honorius, Valentinian III, Leo I the Thracian, Antonio and Libius Severus dating to 474 AD.
Early Middle Ages
After the so-called "fall of the Western Roman Empire", the history of Como followed that of the rest of Lombardy, being occupied by the Goths, the Byzantines, and later the Langobards. The Langobards were a significant people in the region. Originating in Scandinavia, this Germanic group arrived in the Po Valley in 568, led by King Alboin. The Langobards established the Lombard Kingdom, which initially encompassed only modern-day Northern Italy, but later expanded to include Tuscany, Umbria, and portions of Southern Italy. Under Lombard rule, Como continued to flourish, particularly due to the reconstruction of Queen Theudelind's road, which connected Germany and the Italian Peninsula, providing the town with strategic access to commerce. In 774, Como surrendered to the invading Franks led by Charlemagne and subsequently became a center of commercial exchange.
Communal Era
The Commune of Como likely originated in the 11th century as an "association of prestigious families on a treaty basis," bound by an oath of adhesion to the commune, which was renewed periodically in front of municipal authorities until the 1200s, and later in the presence of the mayor. Despite resistance from parts of the feudal nobility of the diocese, this pact quickly extended to the entire free male population of the town. This expansion aimed to strengthen the political independence of Como and its diocese, especially from neighboring Milan, and to affirm the sovereignty of the bishop of Como. The bishop soon became the de facto "head of state", while an assembly of citizens convened in the "Broletto" (Town Hall), called "Brolo". This assembly consisted of representatives of the local nobility, known as consuls, and later included representatives of the guilds. The Commune had a set of laws and conventions that regulated urban activities, commerce, agriculture, fishing, hunting, law enforcement, and taxation.
The first explicit written mention of the Commune of Como dates back to 1109. Initially, the deliberative assembly of the commune was likely the plenary assembly. In the early 12th century, the role of this assembly was assumed by the council (or "Credenza"), known after 1213 as the "General council" or "Bell council". From the second half of the 13th century, this assembly was divided into a large and a small council. Starting in 1109, the communal organization included an executive body called the "collegial magistracy of the consuls". Before 1172, this body was divided into two institutions: the consuls of justice and the consuls of the municipality. In the early 13th century, the latter were replaced by the podestà, who had broader special powers in criminal matters.
The territory of the Commune extended beyond the town of Como itself, encompassing the entire diocese, which included most of present-day Province of Como, modern-day Canton of Ticino, Valtellina, Valchiavenna, and Colico. Thanks to its strategic position on Lake Como and the important Road of Queen Theudelind, which linked the Italian Peninsula with Germany: the heart of the Holy Roman Empire, Como quickly became a wealthy and powerful town.
During this period of growth, Como and Milan quickly became rivals. The Commune of Milan experienced significant population growth but lacked strategic communication routes. Consequently, Milan planned to conquer neighboring territories to gain access to their strategic positions. Tensions first arose over the County of Seprio, as both communes sought control of the area. Meanwhile, Milan acted aggressively against other Lombard towns, leading to the outbreak of the war of Lodi when soldiers from Lodi, Pavia, and Cremona attacked Tortona, an ally of Milan. In this conflict, Milan, supported by Crema and Tortona, fought against the communes of Lodi, Pavia, and Cremona, ultimately achieving a significant victory that established Milan as the dominant power in Lombardy.
This left the Commune of Como as Milan's only remaining rival. Tensions escalated when Emperor Henry IV appointed Landolfo da Carcano, who sympathized with Milan, as the bishop of Como. In response, the people of Como elected Guido Grimoldi as their bishop and exiled Landolfo. Despite his exile, Landolfo continued to interfere in Como's affairs, prompting the town to besiege his castle under the leadership of consul Adamo del Pero. Landolfo was captured and imprisoned, igniting a crisis between Como and Milan, as Milanese soldiers had defended Landolfo's castle.
This conflict led to the Decennial War between Como and Milan in 1118. The war is well-documented thanks to an anonymous poet who recorded the events in a poem titled "Liber Cumanus, sive de bello Mediolanensium adversus Comenses". Initially, Como seemed to prevail due to smart tactics, but after the death of Guido Grimoldi, the tide turned, and Como lost the war in 1127. Milanese soldiers destroyed every building in Como, sparing only the churches.
After the war, the Commune was forced to pay tribute to Milan. However, this changed when Frederick Barbarossa came to power and restored Como's independence from Milan. The Comaschi avenged their defeat when Milan was destroyed in 1162. Frederick promoted the construction of several defensive towers and small castles around the town's limits, of which only the Baradello remains. He also assisted the town in rebuilding its defensive walls, most of which still survive today.
When the Guelph communes organized the Lombard League to oppose the Holy Roman Emperor, Como maintained its Ghibelline alignment. Frederick I Barbarossa formally recognized the Commune of Como with an imperial diploma in 1175 (Concession of Frederick I 1175), allowing the town to elect the mayors of the county. This was a reward for Como's defection from the Lombard League and its shared anti-Milan policy. Subsequent agreements in 1191 and 1216 saw Emperors Henry VI and Frederick II extend additional concessions to Como, similar to those made in the Peace of Constance to the cities participating in the League.
In 1281, Como adopted its first written legislative code, the "Statuta Consulum Iustitie et Negotiatorum", followed by a second code in 1296.
The rise of Rusca/Rusconi family to power
In the second half of the 12th century, the Rusca family (also known as Rusconi) began to gain prominence in the town of Como. The Rusca were a noble family originating in Como in the 10th century. They led the Ghibelline faction in the town, with their principal rivals being the members of the Vitani family.
In 1182, Giovanni Rusca became a consul of the commune and was later appointed podestà of Milan in 1199, thanks to his abilities during a peace treaty with the rival city. Between 1194 and 1198, he was joined by two other relatives, Adamo and Loterio, who also became consuls of Como. The Rusca quickly became the most influential family in Como, with several members attempting to establish a lordship over the town with varying degrees of success.
Loterio Rusca was the first to attempt this goal. He was acclaimed "Lord of the People" in 1276 and, with the trust of the Comaschi, he began his rise to power. However, he faced resistance from the bishop of Como, Giovanni degli Avvocati, who was consequently exiled. Giovanni was hosted by the Visconti of Milan, providing Ottone Visconti with a pretext to start a new war against Como. Unexpectedly, Loterio prevailed and signed a favorable peace treaty with Milan in the town of Lomazzo. Milan was forced to recognize Loterio as the ruler of their rival town and return the town of Bellinzona to Como.
Thanks to this success, the family secured titles such as Lords of Como, Bellinzona, Chiavenna, and Valtellina, as well as Counts of Locarno, Lugano, and Luino. Following Loterio's death, the next notable family member was Franchino I Rusca, who established a personal lordship over Como and its territories and became an imperial vicar.
In 1335, a new war between Como and Milan broke out due to the expiration of conditions established in Lomazzo. This time, under the leadership of Azzone Visconti, Milan won the war and Como was annexed to the Duchy of Milan. The people of Como sought to regain their administrative freedom, and an opportunity arose in 1402 when Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Duke of Milan, died. Franchino II Rusca led a rebellion against the Milanese, which ended in 1412 when his son, Loterio IV Rusca, gained the title of Lord of Como and drove out the Milanese occupiers. However, this did not end the political unrest, and a period of conflicts and massacres ensued until Como once again fell under the control of Filippo Maria Visconti, becoming part of the Duchy of Milan in 1416.
At the Duke's death, Como reclaimed its independence, and in 1447, the "Republic of Saint Abundius" was founded. In January 1449, Francesco Sforza, who claimed the title of Duke of Milan (though the city was under the control of the Ambrosian Republic), sent Giuseppe Ventimiglia to attack Como. He was repelled by the citizens led by Giovanni della Noce, forcing him to retreat to Cantù, in Brianza. Monzone assisted the Rusca against the Vitani, who were Guelphs allied with the Milanese, ultimately defeating them with Ghibelline forces. In April 1449, Ventimiglia attacked Como again, and in January 1450, he unsuccessfully attacked the Ambrosian garrisons in Monza, intended to reunite with the Venetians of Colleoni to support Milan against Sforza. These events, known as the Battles of Cantù and Asso, culminated in March 1450 when Como was defeated following the fall of the Ambrosian Republic, due to exhaustion and lack of resources. Como was definitively subjected to the reconstituted Duchy of Milan under Francesco Sforza, who in 1458 profoundly reformed the Statutes of Como.
Modern Era
Subsequently, the history of Como followed that of the Duchy of Milan, through the French invasion and the Spanish domination, until 1714, when the territory was taken by the Austrians. Napoleon descended into Lombardy in 1796 and ruled it until 1815, when the Austrian rule was resumed after the Congress of Vienna. By 1848, the population had reached 16,000. In 1859, with the arrival of Giuseppe Garibaldi, the town became part of the newly formed Kingdom of Italy under the House of Savoy.
20th century
The Rockefeller fountain that today stands in the Bronx Zoo in New York City was once in the main square (Piazza Cavour) by the lakeside. It was bought by William Rockefeller in 1902 for Lire 3,500 (the estimated equivalent then of $637).
At the end of World War II, after passing through Como on his escape towards Switzerland, Benito Mussolini was taken prisoner and then shot by partisans in Giulino di Mezzegra, a small town on the north shores of Lake Como.
21st century
In 2010, a motion by members of the nationalist Swiss People's Party was submitted to the Swiss parliament requesting the admission of adjacent territories to the Swiss Confederation; Como (and its province) is one of these.
Geography and Climate
Situated at the southern tip of the south-west arm of Lake Como, the city is located 40 kilometres (25 mi) north of Milan; the city proper borders Switzerland and the communes of Blevio, Brunate, Capiago Intimiano, Casnate con Bernate, Cernobbio, Grandate, Lipomo, Maslianico, Montano Lucino, San Fermo della Battaglia, Senna Comasco, Tavernerio, and Torno, and the Swiss towns of Chiasso and Vacallo. Nearby major cities are Varese, Lecco, and Lugano.
Climate
According to the Köppen climate classification, Como has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa); until the late 20th century winters used to be quite cold, with average daily temperatures well below freezing; recently, occasional periods of frost from the Siberian Anticyclone have been recorded; however, due to global warming average temperatures in winter have gradually risen since the turn of the 21st century, reaching a record high of 21 degrees Celsius (70 °F) on 27 January 2024; spring and autumn are well marked and pleasant, while summer can be quite hot and sultry. Wind is uncommon although sudden bursts of foehn have been registered in different occasions. Pollution levels rise significantly in winter when cold air clings to the soil. Rain is more frequent during spring; summer is subject to thunderstorms and occasionally violent hailstorms.
Economy
The economy of Como, until the end of the 1980s, was traditionally based on industry; in particular, the city was world-famous for its silk manufacturers, and in 1972 its production exceeded that of China and Japan, but since the mid-1990s increasing competition from Asia has significantly reduced profit margins and many small and mid-sized firms have gone out of business. As a consequence, manufacturing is no longer the economic driver, and the city has been absorbed into Milan's metropolitan area where it mainly provides workers to the service industry sector. A significant number of residents are employed in the nearby Swiss towns Lugano and Mendrisio, primarily in the industrial sector, health care services and in the hospitality industry; the 30 km (19 mi) commute is beneficial as wages in Switzerland are notably higher. For these reasons, tourism has become increasingly important for the city's economy since the late 1990s, when local small businesses have gradually been replaced by bars, restaurants and hotels. With about 400 thousand overnight guests in 2023, Como was one of the most visited cities in Lombardy.
The city and the lake have been chosen as the filming location for various recent popular feature films, and this, together with the increasing presence of celebrities such as Matt Bellamy who have bought lakeside properties, has heightened the city's attractiveness and given a further boost to international tourism; since the early 2000s the city has become a popular "must-see" tourist destination in Italy.
(Wikipedia)
Como (früherer deutscher Name: Chum) ist eine Stadt in der italienischen Region Lombardei mit 83.361 Einwohnern (Stand 31. Dezember 2022) und Hauptort der Provinz Como. Die Stadt liegt 45 Kilometer nördlich von Mailand, am gleichnamigen See und an der Grenze zum Kanton Tessin (Schweiz).
Geografie
Como liegt am Fuß der italienischen Voralpen, am Südwestende des Comer Sees, der sich auf der Höhe von Menaggio nach Süden in zwei Arme (Lago di Como und Lago di Lecco) teilt. Weil der Abfluss des Comer Sees, die Adda, den See bei Lecco verlässt und der andere Arm des Sees keinen Abfluss hat, wird zu Zeiten der Schneeschmelze und besonders starker Niederschläge, ganz besonders bei Nordwind, der das Wasser gegen Como staut, die Stadt fast jährlich von Hochwasser heimgesucht. Die Stadt liegt verkehrsgünstig an der Eisenbahnlinie Mailand–Zürich und an der Autostrada A9, die sich in der Schweiz als A2 fortsetzt, was zur Ansiedlung vieler Industriebetriebe geführt hat. Como ist die größte Stadt der schweizerisch-italienischen Metropolregion Tessin, die insgesamt mehr als 500.000 Einwohner hat.
Die Nachbargemeinden sind: Blevio, Brunate, Capiago Intimiano, Casnate con Bernate, Cavallasca, Cernobbio, Grandate, Lipomo, Maslianico, Montano Lucino, San Fermo della Battaglia, Senna Comasco, Tavernerio, Torno, Chiasso (CH-TI) und Vacallo (CH-TI).
Klima
Der Winter in Como wird durch den mildernden Einfluss der Wassermassen des Sees relativ stark beeinflusst. Die Tiefsttemperaturen im November, Dezember, Januar, Februar und manchmal auch im März können in der Regel unter den Nullpunkt sinken und gehen meist mit einer hohen Luftfeuchtigkeit einher. Der Nebel, der für die nahe gelegene Brianza und die Poebene charakteristisch ist, fehlt hingegen völlig und ist nur teilweise jenseits der Hügel südlich des so genannten „Convalle“, d. h. des Stadtzentrums, vorhanden. Schneefall ist relativ häufig, wenn auch je nach Winter unregelmäßig, wobei die durchschnittlichen jährlichen Schneemengen vom Tal (ca. 20/30 cm pro Jahr) bis zu den Vorstädten (ca. 40/50 cm pro Jahr) ansteigen. Die letzten bedeutenden Schneefälle waren am 24. und 25. Februar 2013, am 13., 14. und 15. Dezember 2012, am 31. Januar, 1. und 2. Februar 2012, am 17. Dezember 2010, am 21. und 22. Dezember 2009, am 2. Februar und 6. und 7. Januar 2009 sowie am 26., 27. und 28. Januar 2006. Im Februar 2012 blieb der Schnee aufgrund der sehr niedrigen Temperaturen länger liegen, mit Höchstwerten unter Null sogar im Zentrum für fast eine Woche.
Der Sommer ist relativ heiß, auch wenn die Spitzenzeiten relativ kurz sind (nicht mehr als zwei aufeinanderfolgende Wochen). Gelegentlich können die Temperaturen 35 bis 36 °C erreichen. Die Niederschlagsmenge ist mit durchschnittlich 1500 mm pro Jahr recht hoch und liegt in den nördlichsten Bezirken noch höher. Das Gebiet hat eine starke Neigung zu Unwettern. In der Gemeinde gibt es Unterschiede bei den nächtlichen Mindestwerten zwischen den Vierteln, je nachdem, ob sie nächtlichen Brisen ausgesetzt sind oder nicht. Während der Sommersaison sind die Temperaturen in den am See gelegenen Bezirken aufgrund der Seebrise am Morgen oft niedriger als in den Bezirken im Landesinneren, doch gleichen sich die Temperaturen am Nachmittag aufgrund der Drehung des Windes oft aus.
Geschichte
Das Gebiet auf den Hügeln südlich des Comer Sees wies seit dem 10. Jahrhundert vor Christus eine dichte dörfliche Besiedlung auf. Nach einer Blütephase im 5. Jahrhundert vor Christus kam es nach den Einfällen der Kelten zu einem Niedergang. Laut dem älteren Cato soll Comum (wie die Römer Como nannten) vom Stamm der Orobier gegründet worden sein. Iustinus gibt an, dass Comum eine Gründung der Gallier war, nachdem diese Norditalien erobert hatten; allerdings spezifiziert Iustinus den diesbezüglichen gallischen Stamm nicht näher. Die Siedlung wird nur einmal während der Kriege zwischen Römern und Galliern 196 v. Chr. erwähnt, als der Konsul Marcus Claudius Marcellus Comenses (Name der Einwohner von Comum) und Insubrer besiegte und Comum eroberte. Nach der Unterwerfung von Gallia cisalpina dürfte sich eine Anzahl römischer Siedler in Comum niedergelassen haben. Doch diese erlitten durch Einfälle der benachbarten Räter immer wieder Schäden. Um 89 v. Chr. schickte Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo beträchtlich mehr Siedler nach Comum und machte es zu einer Kolonie latinischen Rechts, die bald darauf um weitere 3000 Kolonisten verstärkt wurde. Gaius Iulius Caesar siedelte 59 v. Chr. 5000 weitere Kolonisten, darunter 500 angesehene Griechen, in der Stadt an. Diese bekam nun den Namen Novum Comum. Kurz vor Ausbruch des Bürgerkriegs zwischen Caesar und Pompeius suchten die Feinde Caesars diesen dadurch zu treffen, dass sie Comum den privilegierten Status einer Kolonie latinischen Rechts wieder entziehen lassen wollten. Nach Caesars erfolgreichem Vormarsch nach Italien verlieh er aber 49 v. Chr. den Einwohnern von Comum zusammen mit jenen der übrigen Gemeinden der Gallia Transpadana das römische Bürgerrecht.
Seit augusteischer Zeit war die Stadt ein municipium und wurde allgemein nur Comum genannt. Der Ort war wohlhabend; er hatte eine wichtige Eisenindustrie und die Ufer des Sees waren mit Villen übersät. Er war der Ausgangspunkt für die Überfahrt über den See, um zum Splügenpass und zum Septimerpass zu kommen (siehe auch Chiavenna). Como war der Geburtsort sowohl Plinius des Älteren als auch Plinius des Jüngeren. Letzterer gründete hier Bäder und eine Bibliothek und spendete Geld zur Unterstützung von Waisen. Im späten Kaiserreich gab es einen praefectus classis Comensis und Comum wurde als starke Festung betrachtet. Noch heute zeigt die Stadt den planimetrischen Grundriss des römischen castrum. Reste der römischen Umfassungsmauer verlaufen unterirdisch parallel zu den noch sichtbaren mittelalterlichen Stadtmauern.
Como litt erheblich unter den frühen germanischen Invasionen. Viele der Einwohner nahmen auf der Isola Comacina bei Sala Zuflucht, kehrten aber in der langobardischen Zeit zurück. In dieser Zeit begannen die Magistri Comacini eine privilegierte Zunft der Architekten und Steinmetze zu gründen, die auch in anderen Teilen Italiens beschäftigt wurden. Como kam dann unter die Herrschaft der Erzbischöfe von Mailand, gewann gegen Ende des 11. Jahrhunderts aber seine Freiheit wieder. Zu Beginn des 12. Jahrhunderts brach zwischen Como und Mailand Krieg aus, nach zehn Jahren wurde Como eingenommen und seine Befestigungen wurden 1127 geschleift. 1154 zog es aus der Ankunft Friedrich Barbarossas Vorteil und blieb ihm während des ganzen Krieges mit dem Lombardenbund treu. Im Jahre 1169 verwüstete Como die Isola Comacina, die von Mailand gegen Como befestigt worden war. 1183 erhielt Como im Konstanzer Frieden wie alle lombardischen Kommunen die Unabhängigkeit. Im 13. Jahrhundert wurde Como Zeuge der erbitterten Kämpfe zwischen den Vittani (Guelfen) und den Rusconi (Ghibellinen). Nach häufigen Kämpfen mit Mailand fiel Como von 1335 bis 1447 unter die Macht der Visconti. Nach einer kurzen Zeit der Unabhängigkeit als Repubblica di Sant’Abbondio unterwarf sich Como 1450 Francesco Sforza, dem Herzog von Mailand. 1521 wurde Como von den Spaniern belagert und geplündert und fiel wie der Rest der Lombardei unter die spanische Herrschaft. Im Frieden von Rastatt kam Como zusammen mit dem Gebiet Mailands 1714 an Österreich, später zur Cisalpinischen Republik, zum napoleonischen Königreich Italien und wieder zu Österreich. In der napoleonischen Ära war es die Hauptstadt des Départements Lario. Seine Seidenindustrie und die Lage am Eingang der Alpenpässe verliehen ihm selbst da einige Bedeutung. Como trug in den „Fünf Tagen“ im März 1848 (Cinque giornate) zusammen mit Mailand wesentlich zu den nationalen Aufständen gegen die österreichische Garnison bei. 1859 empfing Como Giuseppe Garibaldi nach dem Sieg von San Fermo als Befreier von der österreichischen Herrschaft.
1885 wurden die Gemeinden Camerlata und Monte Olimpino eingemeindet.
Wirtschaft
Comos Wirtschaftsleben basiert hauptsächlich auf Tourismus und Industrie. Die Stadt besitzt unter anderem eine weltbekannte Seiden-Manufaktur.
Die im Jahr 1940 von Toblach nach Como verlegte elektrotechnische Produktionsgesellschaft UNDA von Max Glauber kam wegen zu schneller Ausweitung der Produktion nach dem Krieg in Zahlungsschwierigkeiten, wurde verkauft und 1962 definitiv geschlossen.
Verkehr
Die Stadt liegt direkt an der Grenze zur Schweiz; die Grenze befindet sich im unmittelbar benachbarten schweizerischen Chiasso.
(Wikipedia)
