The experience
The itinerary will lead you to discover the territory around Lake Como intricately tied, quite literally,to the production and processing of silk. This territory is indeed famous worldwide, not only for its lavish villas but also for the production of this precious fabric. The industrial development associated with silk factories has influenced the migratory patterns of the Como area, so much so that it’s referred to as the “silk circuit”. Since the 1800s, while weavers from Como were migrating to France and Switzerland, French and Swiss craftsmen and entrepreneurs were coming to work or invest in the silk mills in the Como area.
Our journey starts at the Como Silk Museum, the perfect venue to unravel the secrets behind the different stages of crafting such a delicate yet resilient fabric. Did you know that the first parachutes were made of silk thread? From here, we will continue along the shore of Lake Como to be enchanted by the magnificent villas that dot its banks. Among these, Villa Bernasconi in Cernobbio stands out for its close connection to the industrial past linked to silk. Villa Bernasconi is indeed one of the very few examples of Art Nouveau on Lake Como. Its architecture and floral decorations evoke silkworms and mulberry trees, as desired by its patron, engineer Davide Bernasconi, founder of the eponymous ‘Tessiture Seriche Bernasconi’. The villa is a “speaking house” that preserves the many stories of those who worked in the factory through innovative and immersive installations.
There will be plenty of opportunities to admire the natural beauty of a place where the land is often interrupted by bodies of water, creating stunning reflections and breathtaking panoramas. We’ll have the chance to take a boat trip to navigate the waters of the lake and admire the landscape from a new perspective.
We will continue our exploration of this territory by heading towards Switzerland, following the path that may have been the beginning of the journey for migrants of the past. We ascend into the Val d’Intelvi, which connects Lake Como to Lake Lugano, a region rich in history and traditions linked to migrations. Today, it offers endless opportunities for slow and sustainable exploration of the area, on foot and by bicycle.
Shortly
Tour
The Como Silk Museum
We commence our itinerary with an exploration of the city of Como, intricately linked to silk manufacturing. The history of silk production here intertwines with that of the lakeside city, dating back to the 1400s.
We will stop to visit the Como Silk Museum, the only museum institution in the world capable of telling youabout the entire production process, from the silkworm to the colored yarns, from hand printing to fashion collections. The Museum collects, preserves and displays evidence of the Como textile production tradition, such as machines, objects, documents, samples and work tools from the textile processes that gave rise to the golden age of silk in Como.
Villa Bernasconi in Cernobbio
At the outskirts of Como, in the small town of Cernobbio, there stands a villa that exemplifies Italian Art Nouveau and hosts a unique interactive museum: Villa Bernasconi. Here, we will have the opportunity to learn more closely about the stories of those, like your ancestors, who worked in the numerous silk mills that once dotted the shores of Lake Como.
Cernobbio is also home to the so-called “silk citadel”, an example of an innovative industrial complex for its time, built between the late 1800s and the early 1900s Among the buildings that comprised the citadel, the only one to have retained its function is the Davide Bernasconi Nursery School, built specifically for the children of the factory workers. A stroll through the village will lead to the discovery of what were once the executive buildings, production facilities, and workers’ houses.
Argegno
We journey up the Como shoreline of the lake to reach Argegno, a quaint village once home to fishermen, adorned with its charming, colorful houses, worthy of exploration
From Argegno, you can embark on a boat excursion across the lake to reach the distinctive and picturesque nearby destinations, offering a different perspective on the landscape
Valle d'Intelvi
We leave the shores of the lake to head towards San Fedele d’Intelvi, the heart of the homonymous valley. From here, a local guide will lead us to explore the surrounding area at a leisurely pace, immersing ourselves in nature along the numerous hiking trails and cycling routes, including the “Green Bridge between the two lakes”.
Our itinerary concludes in Schignano, renowned for its carnival where the historic contest between the “Belli” and the “Brutti” is staged annually, representing a rivalry between the wealthy and the common people. This tradition deeply rooted in the history of emigration prevalent in these areas.
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