Isola Comacina is a small wooded island ofItaly’sLake Como, administratively a part of thecommune ofOssuccio. It is located close to the western shore of the Como arm of the lake in front of a gulf known asZoca de l'oli, aLombard name referring to the local small-scale production ofolive oil. In the late 6th century (c. 587) the island was a remainingRoman stronghold under Francio, a subordinate ofNarses; though the areas surroundingLake Como were entirely controlled by theLombards. The island was besieged for a good deal of time by theLombards underAuthari who released Francio to flee back toNarses' capital atRavenna.[1] The Lombards found the island to contain "many riches" deposited for safekeeping by local Roman loyalists.
The island was invaded in 1169 byFrederick Barbarossa and soldiers from the town of Como.[2] In 1175, Vidulfo, the Bishop of Como, cursed the island with the following words, "The bells will never ring, the rocks will never be placed one over the other, nobody will do here the work of the publican, the punishment a violent death."
In 1919 the island was given to Belgium, in homage to KingAlbert I. The island was returned the following year.[3]
Pietro Lingeri built three houses on the island in 1939. His idea was to turn the island into a colony for artists. The houses were built in a rationalist style, made from local materials and without much decoration.[4]
The island now consists of a restaurant, cafe, a collection of archaeological sites and the three artist houses.
45°58′N9°10′E / 45.967°N 9.167°E /45.967; 9.167
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