Colonno: Historic Lanes and the Old Strada Regina

Colonno combines a steep hillside landscape with a historic centre. For planning your trip, a section of the old Strada Regina towards Sala Comacina and several architectural features also provide specific points of interest.

Hillside Landscape and Route

Colonno lies on the slopes of Monte Costolone, which descends steeply towards the lake here. Terraces shape the landscape in the higher part of the village. They were created to make the land suitable for cultivation. The slopes and terraces thus represent two closely connected aspects of the place: its steep location and the way the land has been shaped for use.

The section from Colonno to Sala Comacina follows the old Strada Regina. The route passes through terraced plots and small olive groves, with wide views over the lake. The difference in focus compared with the village centre is clear: this stretch of path draws attention to the hillside landscape and lake, while lanes and closely spaced houses define the historic centre.

The ASF C10 bus stop is just a few steps from the Greenway starting point on Via Luigi Civetta. If you plan to reach this starting point by bus, check the timetable in advance; bus timetables may change.

Historic Centre and Architecture

Colonno preserves the medieval layout of its historic centre. Narrow streets, closely spaced houses and lanes leading to small squares by the lake define its structure. The central point of the original village is the distinctive waterfront piazza between the small harbour and the parish church of San Michele Arcangelo. The dense lanes and a clearly identified central point by the lake thus sit side by side as two scales of the same village layout.

The Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo in Colonno was built in 1877 and has a restrained late Neoclassical design. The church is also thought to have probably had Romanesque origins, as indicated by the remains of the former bell tower beside the present campanile. The construction date and the probable earlier origins represent two distinct historical periods that should not be conflated.

The casa a ponte over the Pessetta stream preserves the memory of a flood in 1905. On the lake, Colonno is also home to the Palazzo Pretura, whose wooden door dates from the 16th century. The casa a ponte thus recalls an event in the village’s history, while the palazzo is notable for an architectural detail. The dates refer to different things: 1877 is the church’s construction date, 1905 is the year of the remembered flood, and the 16th century is when the wooden door at the Palazzo Pretura dates from. By contrast, the church’s Romanesque origins remain a probable attribution.

Discover more destinations: Pognana Lario, Sorico, Tavernerio, Porlezza, Musso, Nesso, Asso, Albese Con Cassano

For the wider travel overview: Como.