About Insubria: The Cities

Como: History

In the Como area, the first settlements date back to pre-history. Findings suggest that there was a necropolis in the area of Camerlata, Albate and Grandate. In 196 B.C., Romans set their first fortified camp. The city grew under Caesar, who made it a Roman colony, and called it Novum Comum. The city was built around a Forum, and was protected by rectangular walls.

During the Imperial age, business spread on land and on the lake. A fleet and a harbor office were built. Ostrogoths conquered Comum at the end of the 5th century, and made it participate in their fight against Byzantium and Francs until Longobards reached this area. The city re-established business contacts with Queen Theodolinda, and enjoyed a long period of prosperity only under the Francs and Charlemagne. Fights started again under Otho I, and continued against Milan. The war lasted 10 years; Como was defeated, and came under Visconti’s and later under Sforza’s rule, except in the 1447-1450 period when Repubblica di Sant’Abbondio was established. The first silk mill was open in Bellano following the arrival of the French troops.

In the 16th–18th centuries, the Como and Milan areas came under the Spanish rule. These were hard times for the whole population also due to natural calamities such as plague and floods. In 1714, the dominion of Spain was replaced by the Austrian rule. Austria enforced a number of reforms which enhanced productivity in the territory while imposing a remarkable tax burden.

Later in this area, Napoleon’s troops built a number of public works as well as the road—which is known as Napoleona—leading to the city walls. When Napoleon was defeated, Austrians returned, but they were not welcome. The first Carbonari secret societies were established and made an anti-Austrian propaganda in order to have an independent government. Many people from Como joined Garibaldi, and participated in revolutionary actions.

In 1860, Como became part of the Kingdom of Italy. This meant significant social progress; the gas and the drinking water systems started operating in 1872, a railway station was built on the board of the lake; in 1894, a funicular railway was built, and connected Como to Brunate. The railway line connecting Milan to the Gothard Pass and to Germany was built in subsequent years. This notably favored business. Como turned into a modern city at the end of World War II when new buildings and roads were built.