Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025

This morning we were up early to catch the local train from Milan to Como for our excursion. The distance was about 43 miles. It was pouring when we left the hotel and we were concerned about our day at Lake Como!

Near the train station in Como we saw the Hands statue called Monumento Le Mani or Monument to the Fallen in Service. It was a bronze statue that was unveiled in 2000 and created by Massimo Clerici and Doriam Battoglia. It had two hands and one symbolized those activiely serving the country and the other symbolized those wounded in the line of duty.

As we walked to our meeting spot, we passed the monument to Alessandro Volta. It was erected to honor Como’s famous Italian physicist who was credited with the invention of the first electrical battery, the Voltaic pile. Volta invented this in 1799. It was a marble statue sculpted by Pompeo Marchesi and unveiled in 1838.

We met our guide André and our group followed him to our bus. Not long after our bus left Como the rain stopped and the clouds began to thin as we passed into Switzerland. From Como to the Swiss border was only about 31 miles. We headed to the Swiss town of Lugano and Lake Lugano. The setting for this village was beautiful with the mountains in the background and the surrounding lake.

In Lugano, Switzerland we had time to explore the city. The Town Hall was located in the main square, Piazza Civico. It was built between 1840-1844.

We stopped in the Vanina Swiss chocolate that had been making chocolates since 1871. We each got a piece and it was delicious!

The Church degli Angeli (Church of Santa Maria degli Angioli) was built between 1499 and 1500. The church was once part of a monastery of the Order of Franciscan Friars.

This church was the most famous Switzerland fresco. It was the “Passion and Crucifixion” by the Italian artist Bernardino Luini who was a disciple of Leonardo da Vinci. The fresco covers most of the wall with over 150 faces and figures.

The church also housed another of Luini’s works that was a fresco in 3 panels of the Last Supper.

We rode back into Italy and the town of Carlazzo. Carlazzo, located between Lake Lugano and Lake Como, was known for its historic stone structures and dry stone walls. The ancient stone walls dated to the 6th century. We saw many dry stone walls and the area was working on preserving the dry stone walling tradition where no mortar was used!

Our next stop was to get on the ferry for a cruise on Lake Como.

We cruised on Lake Como and had time at Bellagio. Bellagio was considered the “Pearl of Lake Como”. It was located on a promontory that jutted into the lake. The town had narrow cobblestone streets, steep stairways and colorful houses.

The Basilica di San Giacomo (St. James) church was built between 1075 and 1125. It was an example of Como-Lombard Romanesque style. Inside were beautiful mosaics.

After lunch in Bellagio we were back on the ferry to continue our ride on Lake Como. Our guide continued to point out highlights.

Our ferry ride came to an end in Como. The Como lakeside was beautiful as we arrived.

Tempio Voltiano museum was built in honor of Alessandro Volta, physicist and inventor of the electrical battery. He was born and died in Como.

The sculpture “Life Electric” was a contemporary sculpture by Daniel Libeskind in 2015. It was dedicated to Volta and installed on the breakwater in Lake Como.

The Piazza Grimoldi Guido square was located in the center of the city of Como along with the Cathedrale di Santa Maria Assunta.

The historic Church of San Giacomo and the Duomo was constructed in 1396. The facade featured a rose window that was built in the second half of the 15th century.

After exploring Como we stopped for pizza at L’Antiga Pizzeria. The pizza size was huge and tasted delicious.

After dinner we walked back to the train station to catch our train back to Milan.

It was a full day and we were thankful that the weather cleared out! Tomorrow will be a busy day exploring Milan!