omacini_ formed a privileged corporation of architects and sculptors,
who were employed in other parts of Italy also, until, at the end of the
11th century, individuals began to come more to the front (G. T.
Rivoira, _Origini del l'architettura Lombarda_, Rome, 1901, i. 127 f.).
Como then became subject to the archbishops of Milan, but gained its
freedom towards the end of the 11th century. At the beginning of the
12th century war broke out between Como and Milan, and after a ten
years' war Como was taken and its fortifications dismantled in 1127. In
1154, however, it took advantage of the arrival of Barbarossa, and
remained faithful to him throughout the whole war of the Lombard League.
After frequent struggles with Milan, it fell under the power of the
Visconti in 1335. In 1535, like the rest of Lombardy, it fell under
Spanish dominion, and in 1714 under Austrian. Thenceforth it shared the
fortunes of Milan, becoming in the Napoleonic period the chief town of
the department of the Lario. Its silk industry and its position at the
entrance to the Alpine passes gave it some importance even then. It bore
a considerable part in the national risings of 1848-1859 against
Austrian rule. (T. As.)

COMO, Lake of (the _Lacus Larius_ of the Romans, and so sometimes called
Lario to the present day, though in the 4th century it is already termed
_Lacus Comacinus_), one of the most celebrated lakes in Lombardy,
Northern Italy. It lies due N. of Milan and is formed by the Adda that
flows through the Valtelline to the north end of the lake (here falls in
the Maira or Mera, coming from the Val Bregaglia) and flows out of it at
its south-eastern extremity, on the way to join the Po. Its area is 55-1/2
sq. m., it is about 43 m. from end to end (about 30-1/2 m. from the north
end of Bellagio), it is from 1 to 2-1/2 m. in breadth, its surface is 653
ft. above the sea, and its greatest depth is 1365 ft. A railway line now
runs along its eastern shore from Colico to Lecco (24-1/2 m.), while on its
western shore Menaggio is reached by a steam tramway from Porlezza on
the Lake of Lugano (8 m.). Colico, at the northern extremity, is by rail
17 m. from Chiavenna and 42 m. from Tirano, while at its southern end
Como (on the St Gotthard line) is 32 m. from Milan, and Lecco about the
same distance. The lake fills a remarkable depression which has been
cut through the limestone ranges that enclose it, and once doubtless
extended as far as Chiav