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Italian Lakes: The Greenway Walks - Part 6

There are about 7 different caves connected through small tunnels and stairs built at the beginning of the last century. Underground it is possible to admire small waterfalls, streams, majestic stalactites and stalagmites which fill and dominate different settings.

From a natural opening located halfway, it is possible to observe the canyon in which the waterfall Santa Giulia, about 70 meters high, cascades into. Last but not least, it is important not to forget that Antonio Fogazzaro wrote the masterpiece Piccolo Mondo Antico, just admiring the banks of the Italian side of Lake Lugano. The writer from Vicenza spent long periods of his life at Villa Fogazzaro Roi, located in Ora in Valsolda, finding the inspiration for the famous novel published in 1896. Today the building is the property of FAI, Fondo Ambientale Italiano, left by the grand-nephew of Fogazzaro. The building became for the writer a refuge immersed in nature, a quiet and secluded place, where he could re-elaborate his thoughts.

Visiting the villa, which still conserves his books and memories, is like entering a small ancient world rich in suggestion and it is possible to find the atmosphere of the novel among the private rooms and the gorgeous suspended garden.

THE SILK MUSEUM COMO

Unique to the world, the Como Silk museum opened in 1990 to illustrate the history of the complete cycle of silk production, from the silkworm rearing process to the ennobling phase. The story is told via a comprehensive display of working machinery and instruments that would have been in use between 1850 and 1960. The museum’s digital archive, library, historical photographs, garments and accessory collections bear witness to the creativity of silk production- still in full swing- that has influenced the social and urban development of Como.

COMO THE VILLAGE

Our journey along the Lario can only start from its capital. Como, from industrial centre based on silk manufacturing, is turning more and more into a centre of international tourism, thanks to its lake and to its natural landscape.

Como is a man-sized elegant, discreet and vital city, full of history and corners to discover, ideal for shopping and spending the evening in a pretty restaurant or café.

The Great charm of Como is also a municipality of constructive periods still visible to visitors.

End of part 6, continued part 7

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Page added on: 14 September 2018
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