Living Como also means experiencing its lake, and walking along its shores is an unmissable ritual. Popular and always swarming with people is the lakeside promenade of Villa Geno.

The promenade first skirts an area full of restaurants and lively bars, meets the station of Brunate's famous funicular railway, and then continues past beautiful period mansions. Looking ahead, however, one always has the same landmark: a large, thick green bush created by mighty Himalayan Cedars. 

At the end of the urban walk on the shore of the lake, just before Villa Geno, one realises just how large the conifers are: the two largest specimens have trunks with a circumference of 5.80 and 4.30 metres. Their landscaping role is really important and the shady clearing is made even more pleasant by the presence of Ginkgo biloba trees, which are also monumental.

Protected by the admirable scrub of trees, it is truly a pleasure to enjoy a moment of relaxation while looking out over the historic centre of Como on one side, dominated by the dome of the cathedral, and Villa Geno with its characteristic fountain by the lake on the other side.

A green monument that is accessible to the public.

(Ph: Luca Pernechele)