Comabbio
The town of Comabbio has just over 1,100 inhabitants and is positioned at an equal distance from the homonymous lake and Lake Monate, which together with Lake Varese, separate the Lombard shore of Lake Maggiore from the province’s county town.
Comabbio, which is surrounded by a series of small green hills, rises in a verdant basin, sheltered by a modest hill on top of which a small church was built, almost as if to watch over the homes below. The name - originates from the Celtic com (inlet) – is precisely due to the village’s geographical position.
Things to see in Comabbio
The Parish Church of San Giacomo Apostolo dating back to 1550 was renovated and restored between 1596 and 1610, when it took on its current appearance. Inside, a single nave is dominated by a golden architrave painted at the end of the 16th century. A wonderfully carved wooden tabernacle can be admired over the high altar.
The Romanesque Beata Vergine del Rosario Sanctuary (quite visible from trunk road 696) with its orthogonal plan and semi-circular apse, has a single nave containing the 17th-century altar decorated with plasterwork altar frontals depicting the Madonna of the Rosary. Above it is a sophisticated wooden structure supporting a golden statue.
No traces remain of the medieval castle, which was probably built on Motto hill.
Things to do in Comabbio
Comabbio overlooks the homonymous lake in front of Varano Borghi and has a functional beach with facilities. Only residents are allowed to fish on Lake Comabbio.
Covered for the most part with coppices mixed with locust trees, chestnut trees and oak trees, the area was declared of significant public interest by the Ministerial Decree of 26 May 1972 issued by the Ministry for Public Education. Indeed, the town is located in an enviable position between two lakes from the glacial period, and gently slopes down towards them enclosed between the high grounds of Mount Pelada and S. Maria di Ternate.
There are several ecological paths of various lengths and changes in altitude, which meet the expectations of the most demanding hikers but also families, who can stop and take a break in one of the pubs or farm holiday establishments scattered throughout the area.
