Location
Cernobbio lies on the Como branch of the lake, the first village after Como as you head up the western shore.
History
The name is thought to derive from “cenobium”, linked to a supposed 12th-century convent. A centre devoted to fishing, it obtained its own statutes from the 13th century. After raids in the Spanish era, recovery came with the first silk-weaving works (the celebrated Tessiture Bernasconi, which made Cernobbio a true citadel of silk) and, from the 19th century, with the rise of tourism and holiday-making.
What to see
- Villa d’Este: built in 1568 to a design by Pellegrino Pellegrini, a luxury hotel since 1873 that preserves historic furnishings and artworks.
- Villa Erba: late 19th century, Mannerist in inspiration, with frescoes attributed to Johann Christoph Storer; today a conference and exhibition centre with a historic park. It hosts events such as the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este and Orticolario.
- Villa Bernasconi: recently restored as a cultural centre (Art Nouveau style).
- Villa Pizzo: a venue for weddings and events.
- Church of San Vincenzo: with a red Baroque façade, in the historic centre.
- Church of the Santissimo Redentore: a modern 20th-century building.
- Giardino della Valle: a vertical botanical garden created on a former derelict site.
What to do
You can climb, even by car along a scenic road, to the summit of Monte Bisbino, with the Sanctuary of the Beata Vergine and several hikes along the Via dei Monti Lariani or toward Sagno and Switzerland. Nearby are the Buco della Volpe caves on the slopes of the Bisbino.
Getting there
Bus line C10 connects Como (San Giovanni/Lago) to Cernobbio, Mazzini stop, continuing on toward Argegno and Menaggio; by boat from Como it takes about 15 minutes. By car you follow the SS340 Regina.
Festivities
22 January — Saint Vincent, patron saint of Cernobbio.