Lake Como, in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy, is one of the most popular tourist spots in Italy and is also where many celebrities choose to buy holiday homes. It is a beautiful place to visit with plenty of things to see and do by the lake and in the surrounding area. Here are 10 interesting facts about this spectacularly stunning lake.
- Lake Como has only one island, despite its size. This is called Isola Comacina and you can take a trip there by boat for a guided tour.
- It is one of the deepest lakes in Europe as it measures up to 425 meters at its deepest points.
- It is also the third largest lake in Italy with only Lake Gardia and Lake Maggiore exceeding Lake Como in size.
- With a shoreline of over 100 kilometers, Lake Como has one of the longest shorelines in Europe. Along the shore there are many fantastic views across the lake and the surrounding area.
- Lake Como has had many names. Originally, the lake was called Lario by the Ancient Greeks. This comes from the word ‘lar’, meaning ‘deep’. The Romans then changed the name to Lacus Larius. It was then called Lacus Comensis which was then shortened to simply ‘Como’.
- Some people believe there is a beast of Como, like the Loch Ness Monster, Nessie. It is said that the beast is a leftover dinosaur called a Lariosaur and locals fondly call this mythical creature Larrie.
- Lake Como is a popular movie location. Some of the most famous movies that have used the lake as a location include Ocean’s Twelve, Star Wars: Episode II- Attack of the Clones, and Casino Royale.
- Villa culture began at Lake Como. It was here that the rich and famous of the Roman Empire chose to build their luxurious villas.
- Lake Como has been a source of inspiration for many poets, writers, musicians, and artists. These have included Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, Heinrich Heine, Giuseppe Verdi and Stendhal.
- The lake has its own unique winds, something that is common at large water reservoirs. A Southern wind called Breva blows in the afternoon and evening while a Northern wind called Tivano blows in the morning and at night.
