Colonno is a medieval village on the western shore of Lake Como, built along the shore at the foot of Monte Costone. It is the official starting point of the Greenway del Lago di Como.
The village
The village grew up along the lakeshore, at an elevation of 215 metres. The terraced slopes of Monte Costone above it were historically cultivated, particularly with olive trees. The Camoggia stream comes down from the mountain and forms a waterfall before flowing into the lake.
Colonno has Roman-era origins. Over the centuries it followed the fortunes of the Isola Comacina, and in 1335 it passed to the Visconti.
The church of San Michele Arcangelo
The parish church is dedicated to San Michele Arcangelo. It has Neoclassical forms but Romanesque origins: it was rebuilt in 1877 and holds frescoes from the 15th century.
What to see
- The historic centre along the shore, crossed by the Greenway route.
- The church of San Michele Arcangelo, with its 15th-century frescoes.
- The waterfall of the Camoggia stream, where it enters the lake.
- The terraces of Monte Costone, historically planted with olives.
Along the Greenway
The official route of the Greenway del Lago di Como starts from Colonno. It takes Via Cappella, continues along Via Civetta and crosses the historic centre, where a bridge passes over the Pessetta stream. From there it heads towards Sala Comacina, partly following the old Via Regina, the historic road of the western shore. Colonno is the first of the seven villages on the route, which runs about 10 kilometres and ends at Griante. A little to the north, from the water and from the path, you can see the Isola Comacina.