Varenna, Medieval commune on Lake Como in Lombardy, Italy
Varenna is a village on the eastern shore of Lake Como in Lombardy, situated at about 220 meters elevation with stone buildings that step down toward the water. The houses cluster closely together in narrow lanes that lead directly to the lakeside, creating a compact Mediterranean settlement.
The village was founded by fishermen in 769 and grew as a settlement on the lake. In 1169, inhabitants displaced from the destroyed island of Comacina arrived and reshaped the community's character.
The San Giovanni celebration lights up the lake with floating candles each year, honoring the arrival of refugees from Comacina Island in the Middle Ages. This festival shows how the past remains woven into local traditions and community life.
A railway station connects the village to Milan and Tirano, making it easy to reach from larger cities. Ferries run regularly across Lake Como to nearby towns like Bellagio and Menaggio, allowing exploration without a car.
The Fiumelatte River is only about 250 meters long and flows with white water from March to October. During winter months this short waterway vanishes completely, only to reappear when warmer weather returns.
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