The only Island of lake Como, admired for its remarkable panoramic views and the lush Mediterranean vegetation, is among the most interesting archaeological sites in northern Italy for the early Middle Ages and an artistic centre thanks to the three houses for artists, built by Pietro Lingeri in rationalistic style.
The Comacina Island is roughly 600 meters long and only 200 meters wide, comprising a total area of 6 hectares, mostly covered by lush Mediterranean vegetation. Olives, linden and laurel, with species such as hackberry, hornbeam and black mulberry, dominate the environment, which together with the surrounding area, is called Zoca de l’Oli, thus defining the corner of lake Como characterized by a mild climate and favourable for the cultivation of olive trees and the production of local oil.
You can reach the Comacina island by private taxi-boat from the medieval complex of Santa Maria Maddalena in Ossuccio or by ferry with the Lake Como Public Navigation Company (see timetable here). Ticket office and information points at the Antiquarium Museum.