LAKE COMO

After a brief crossing of a few minutes, you arrive in Torno, a locality at the foot of Monte Piatto on the eastern shore. Celebrated for its productions of textiles and tapestries, the structure and the buildings of the town still preserve the characteristic of a mediaeval village. The two principal nuclei of this structure are the 15th century parish of Santa Tecla (which faces a small port) with its portals and Ghotic rose-windows. And the 14th century church of San Giovanni with its Romanesque bell towers. From here there is a path (circa 1.5 kilometers) which leads to one of the oldest villas on the Lake, Villa Pliniana with its open-front gallery and surrounding vegetation. It reflects solitarily and evocatively against the water. The Villa was constructed in 1573 by the Governor of Como, Count Giovanni Anguissola. Its name derived from the Fonte Pliniana, whose waters flow intermittently and were of great interest to both Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger. Villa Plinio was a destination for travelers and illustrious personalities: Stendhal, Foscolo, Rossini, Berchet, Byron, Shelley and Fogazzaro whose novel "Malombra"- despite the fact that events took place on Lake Segrino- was inspired by the story here of Prince Belgioioso and the Duchess Paisance.