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Stories from the lake

Lake timeline

Two thousand years of the lake in order of date: from the Roman road along the western shore to the first steamboat, from the fall of the Isola Comacina to the Olginate dam. Each date leads to the story that tells it and to the place where it happened.

Dates
82
Stories
27
Periods
6
Como harbour with the jetty and moored boats, the cathedral dome on the right and the Brunate hill behind the town.
Photochrom Print Collection · Public domain

Only the dates from the story ‘The smugglers' lake'All dates

2dates

Nineteenth century

1800–1899 · 1 date

  1. 1880s

    The fence against smuggling

    The Guardia di Finanza builds a long wire fence along the Swiss border, the ramina, with an alarm of bells fixed on springs. Smugglers cross the border in secret with the bricolla, a jute sack holding up to thirty-five or forty kilos of cigarettes, salt or coffee.

    Place: Lanzo d'IntelviStory: The smugglers' lake

    The church of San Lucio on the pass, against a low sun: walls of stone and flaking plaster, an arched porch and two arched niches, a roof of stone slabs and the bell tower with its open belfry, the sun breaking out beside it; around it the pasture grass and, far off, the mountains in a golden haze.

Twentieth century

1900–1999 · 1 date

  1. To Switzerland along the smugglers' paths

    After the armistice many disbanded soldiers cross the San Jorio pass above Gravedona to seek refuge in Switzerland. Refugees use the smugglers' paths too: during the war Ticino and the Mesolcina take in about twenty-six thousand soldiers and twelve thousand civilians, but many are turned back.

    Place: Gravedona ed UnitiStory: The smugglers' lake