ISOLA COMACINA, Isola Comacina

Hi, I am Marcy, your personal guide, and together with MyWoWo I’d like to welcome you to one of the wonders of the world: the Isola Comacina.

From the fifth century A.D. to 1169, this small island, Isola Comacina, played a key role as a defensive bulwark due to its strategic position. Then it was unfortunately razed to the ground in revenge. But what was its offense?

You should know that between 1118 and 1127, the Isola Comacina and the surrounding territories had sided with the city of Milan against Como in a ten-year war, won by the Milanese. It was not long before the two cities clashed again. This time, however, Como had a powerful ally on its side: Frederick Barbarossa. After defeating Milan in 1162, the people of Como took revenge on the neighboring municipalities as well as Isola Comacina, of which only the ashes remained. The 1169 destruction is commemorated every year in June, with a fireworks display for the feast day of St. John.

The rebirth of the island, after centuries of neglect, is due to the archaeological excavations carried out between 1914 and 1978, which brought to light many artefacts, now on display in the Ossuccio Antiquarian Museum. The remains of ancient buildings, mainly churches, can be easily visited by walking along the island's paths, guided by a map that you can request when purchasing an entrance ticket, and by the explanatory signs that describe the sites in detail....