Description of the attraction
Colico is the most important settlement in the northern part of Lake Como. The population of this town, located at the confluence of the Adda River into the lake, is about 7200 people, and the area is 35, 3 square kilometers. Colico is an important transport hub - from here you can get to Milan (by train or car) or to the cities of Como and Lecco (by ferries and boats). In addition, highways connect Colico with Milan, Chiavenna and Bolzano.
It is in this city that the famous Abbey of Piona is located - one of the most romantic architectural monuments of Lombardy and one of the most beautiful monasteries in northern Italy. The abbey church was built in the 11th century, but was rebuilt more than once in the following centuries. The covered gallery with pointed arches dates from the 13th century, while the bell tower was erected in the 18th century.
Among other attractions of Colico, it is worth highlighting the forts of Montecchio and Fuentes. The first, Fort Montecchio, is the only fort in Italy left from the First World War. It was built in 1911-1914 to control the city streets of Spulga, Maloha and Stelvio in case the so-called Central Powers (German Empire, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire and Bulgarian Kingdom) decided to violate the neutrality of Switzerland and invade the territory of northern Italy. True, it turned out that the fort never took part in hostilities, even during the Second World War. It was later used as a warehouse for storing weapons. Today, visitors to Fort Montecchio can see its main attraction - the weaponry, which consists of four cannons.
Fort Fuentes was built between 1603 and 1606 by Count Fuentes to defend the borders north of the Duchy of Milan. It consists of several levels and can accommodate up to 300 people. Its advantageous geographical location made it possible to control the territory of the entire plain lying below, which in the 17th century was called the Spanish Plain - Pian di Spagna. In 1796, by order of Napoleon, the fort was dismantled and abandoned. Today only ruins remain of it.
Since Colico was once an important staging post on the main roads of the Apennine Peninsula, it was heavily fortified. North of Fort Montecchio, you can still see two watchtowers that were built during the so-called Castello Colico period. Also worth noting are the Fontanedo towers, built in the 14th century, and Curcio, now converted into a rural estate. Finally, in the town of Oljasca, there is the Mirabello castle, probably built in the 16th century.
Of the religious buildings in Colico, it is worth noting the small church of San Rocco, originally dedicated to Saints Fabian and Sebastian. It stands outside the city on the slopes of Mount Legnone at an altitude of 500 meters. Also noteworthy are Villa Malpensata with its lake-facing façade and Villa Ozio, located on the Lungolario Polti promenade.
In addition to historical and cultural attractions, Colico has an excellent beach with soccer field, tennis courts, surfing and kitesurfing school.
