Antique boats

Historic Boats of Lake Como: The Soul of the Lario

For centuries, Lake Como served as an extraordinary liquid highway. A diverse fleet of vessels—ranging from humble fishing boats to massive military and commercial ships—connected the rugged shores and distant ends of the lake long before modern roads existed.

The "Lucia": An Icon of Literature and Tradition

The most recognizable boat on the lake is the Batel. Traditionally used for fishing, it features three distinct wooden hoops designed to support a canvas cover, protecting sailors from the alpine rain and the scorching summer sun.

Today, this vessel is universally known as a Lucia. This name honors the protagonist of Alessandro Manzoni’s famous 19th-century novel, The Betrothed (I Promessi Sposi), who famously uses this specific type of boat to escape during a pivotal moment in the story.

The Giants of the Lake: Gondolas and Comballi

While small boats handled local fishing, massive sailing vessels acted as the heavy-duty cargo trucks of their era:

• The Larian Gondola: These large wooden ships measured between 12 and 28 meters (approx. 40 to 90 feet) in length. Equipped with a mast, a traditional Roman sail, and a sturdy rudder, they could carry up to 100 tons of goods. Large wooden arches allowed the crew to cover the deck with tarpaulins, shielding precious cargo from the elements.
• The Comballo: The largest and most rugged vessel on Lake Como, the Comballo was a massive, square-shaped workhorse capable of carrying 120 tons. Featuring a simplified "tem" (cabin) at the stern and a rudder that functioned like a giant oar, it primarily transported raw materials like stone and timber that didn't require protection from the rain.

A Vanishing World

The turn of the 20th century brought the expansion of the railway and the rise of motor vehicles, which gradually supplanted the ancient waterways. The Gondolas and Comballi, once the lifeblood of the lake's economy, were slowly replaced by trucks and cars.

Today, only two original Larian Gondolas remain: the Giulia and the Rosina. Owned by the Barindelli family and moored in the picturesque dock of Loppia, they stand as the final witnesses to a world of master shipwrights and sailors who once navigated the lake's shifting winds. A maritime culture that thrived for centuries has largely faded into history in just a few decades.