Located on the western shore of Lake Como, at the mouth of the Livo torrent and at the foot of Sasso Pelo, the picturesque town of Domaso has kept the characteristics of its past history intact through the years. Of Roman origin and crossed by Via Regina, the ancient road that connected Como to Rezia (now Switzerland) passing through Valchiavenna, Domaso developed into a small fishing village, with brightly coloured houses leaning against each other, porticoes and arches. An urban structure still visible today, with steep cobbled streets called “strecc” that from the lakeside porticoes go up to the top of the mountain where you can admire the devotional Renaissance frescoes and family coats of arms painted on the facades of the houses.
Over the years, the town went from being an ancient fishing village to one of the liveliest tourist places in the Alto Lario, full of campsites, residences, restaurants, clubs and modern sports facilities, which have made it internationally famous. Enjoying a particularly mild climate and constantly ventilated by the Breva wind, it is considered a paradise for sailors and surfers. Domaso is a perfect holiday destination for those who love water sports and outdoor activities. There are numerous walking paths and mountain bike trails in the surrounding woods and the long and beautiful beach offers the opportunity for stunning walks along the shore or relaxing under the sun. During the summer season, the resort comes alive with events and festivals, the perfect way to end a day spent in the water or in the mountains. Domaso is also the main wine producing area of the Alto Lario, appreciated since Roman times. The grapes are harvested in the vineyards that rise on terraces in the hamlets of Pozzolo and Gaggio.
From an artistic point of view, the parish church of San Bartolomeo, built in the 13th century but renovated in the late Baroque period is definitely worth visiting. It houses numerous art works, including 18th century frescoes by Ligari, a Pietà from the school of Rodari, a painting depicting the Madonna and Child by Procaccini and the chapel commissioned by Luigi Panizza, governor of Forte di Fuentes. The Church of San Giovanni Battista (St John the Baptist) was originally part of a lost convent that has now been deconsecrated, and features a 13th century bell tower and frescoes on the life of St John the Baptist.
On the lakeside there are some villas that bear witness to the historical importance of Domaso. The 17th century Villa Camilla, built by the noble Ghezzi family and now the Town Hall, has a neoclassical structure with frescoed ceilings and a beautiful park with artificial caves in tuff and many varieties of camellias, cedars and conifers. Villa Miani, erected at the beginning of the 19th century once belonged to General Miani, conqueror of Libya.
