How a strategic lakeside town survived centuries of conflict between Milan and the Empire.

History · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Perched on the southern tip of Lake Como, this city evolved from a Roman grid into a fiercely independent commune. Caught between the ambitions of Milan and the Holy Roman Empire, Como navigated centuries of war, shifting alliances, and architectural rebirth to become the historic landmark it remains today.

The history of Como is defined by its geography and its persistent rivalry with Milan. Originally settled by Iron Age tribes like the Orobii and the Insubres, the town was relocated to its current site by Julius Caesar, who drained local swamps to establish a structured Roman grid. Following the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, the region saw successive occupations by Goths, Byzantines, and the Germanic Langobards, the latter of whom utilized the town’s strategic position to control vital trade routes connecting the Italian Peninsula to Germany.

By the 11th century, Como emerged as a powerful commune governed by an association of elite families. This political independence was frequently challenged by Milan, which sought to dominate the region's communication routes. The resulting tensions culminated in the Decennial War of 1118. Despite early successes, Como was defeated in 1127, leading to the destruction of its buildings. However, the town’s fortunes shifted under Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, who restored its autonomy and helped fortify the city with defensive walls and towers, such as the Baradello, as a reward for Como’s alignment with the Ghibelline faction against the Lombard League.

The later Middle Ages saw the rise of the Rusca family, who exerted significant influence and lordship over the city. Political instability persisted, with Como oscillating between periods of independence and annexation by the Duchy of Milan. Even after being definitively incorporated into the Duchy under Francesco Sforza in 1450, the city maintained a distinct cultural identity. Today, its legacy is preserved in landmarks like the 14th-century cathedral and the 20th-century Casa del Fascio, a significant example of modern design by Giuseppe Terragni, reflecting a history that spans from ancient Roman planning to the complexities of the modern era.

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