An Old Map of Lake Como

Historical Background

Published in Milan in 1866, this Nuova Carta Topografica del Lago di Como was engraved by Pietro Allodi and issued by Ferdinando Artaria e Figlio. It presents Lake Como not simply as an isolated landscape, but as the centre of a wider network of towns, roads, railways, valleys and waterways extending across Lombardy.

Map Details

• Date: 1866
• Cartographer and engraver: Pietro Allodi
• Publisher: Ferdinando Artaria e Figlio, Milan
• Original title: Nuova Carta Topografica del Lago di Como
• Region shown: Lake Como and the surrounding area of Lombardy, northern Italy
• Principal places: Como, Lecco, Bellagio, Menaggio, Varenna, Colico and Milan
• Additional features: Surrounding lakes, roads, rail connections, mountain relief, settlements and descriptive notes
• Inset: The route between Como and Milan through Monza

The map appeared during a period of considerable political and economic change. Lombardy had become part of the newly unified Kingdom of Italy only a few years earlier, while expanding railway connections were transforming travel between Milan, Como and the lakes. The prominent inset showing the route to Milan reflects the growing accessibility and popularity of Lake Como during the nineteenth century.

Allodi used closely engraved hachures to describe the steep mountains and valleys surrounding the lake. This creates a strong impression of the terrain while allowing the roads, settlements and shoreline place names to remain legible. Como and Lecco anchor the lake’s two southern branches, with Bellagio occupying the celebrated central promontory where the waters divide.

The map also extends beyond Lake Como to include Lago di Mezzola in the north and the smaller lakes around Lecco, including Lago di Annone and Lago di Pusiano. Descriptive panels provide contemporary information about Como, the lake and its attractions, making the work both a topographical map and an early guide to one of Italy’s best-known landscapes.