The Patria, twin steamboat of the Concordia, was launched on July 31, 1926 under the name of Savoia. In 1927 it hosted Vittorio Emanuele III, who had arrived in Como on the occasion of the first centenary of the death of Volta. In 1943, following the well-known war events, its name had to be changed and the captain preferred Patria over 25 luglio and Libertà. The bomb attack by the English aircraft on January 10, 1945 set the boat on fire and led to the tragic death of 6 passengers. Like the Concordia, the coal-fired furnaces fell into disuse following the restoration works carried out in 1951, while the steam engine was left intact and in working order. After 64 years of navigation, this glorious steamboat was unexpectedly put out of commission in 1990, although the engine room was still in perfect working order. To avoid conversion to a diesel engine, more than 20.000 signatures were gathered from all over the world. The steamboat was eventually acquired by the Province of Como, and placed in a shipyard where it is undergoing massive historical restoration. We hope it will be ready to be put back into commission within 2012.

The Patria has retained its original aesthetical features, amongst which the so-called half-saloon that leaves the stern deck uncovered, a prerogative which renders this vessel the most prestigious of all those that navigate the European lakes.

WHEN THE PATRIA WAS BANISHED, THE GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT CAUSED THE PUBLIC OPINION TO BELIEVE THAT THE SHIP HAD SUFFERED SEVERE DAMAGE AND STRONGLY OPPOSED ANY INITIATIVE AIMING AT ITS RECOVERY. AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE AUTHORITIES PREFERRED TO ACQUIRE CATAMARANS INSTEAD. MOREOVER, THE BOILERS AND THE PRECIOUS ORIGINAL SALOON WERE DISMANTLED AND LEFT INTENTIONALLY TO DETERIORATE AT THE MERCY OF THE ELEMENTS, OUT OF MERE ECONOMICAL INTEREST AND TOTALLY MINDLESS OF A HERITAGE THAT CARRIES SUCH AN HISTORICAL AND SYMBOLIC EMOTIONAL VALUE.

The Patria in an old colour photo (photo by Navigazione Laghi).
The low funnel painted with red strips was in operation from 1951 to 1983.

The Plinio, the third grand old steamer of Lake Como that has survived until today. Built in 1902 by the Escher Wiss company of Zurich, the Plinio was the fastest ship of the whole fleet and was nicknamed the blue ribbon of the Lario. It is reminiscent of generations of workers who would get up at dawn to sail towards the city. The Plinio, with its magnificent saloon entirely decorated in belle époque style with precious red velvet, once hosted Actor Tyrone Power. The boat was put out of commission in 1964, causing rowdy disapproval. Deprived of its engine and sold at auction as wreckage, the steamship was hauled to the port of Colico and converted into a floating restaurant. Today it lies again in a state of complete abandon, moored in the lake of Mezzola. In September 2008 there was talk of demolishing the ship, immediately opposed by groups of enthusiasts. However, in 2009 the Ministry of Cultural Heritage finally recognized the steamer as a prestigious cultural heritage. In 2010, Plinio sunk in the small lake of Mezzola, due to the shameful degradation and care-less attitude of Larian politicians. Shame on you!

The gondolas, ancient merchant vessels, used to be painted in bright colours with fine artistic decorations. The deck, covered with a canvas supported by seven hoops, was suitable for transportation of herds of bovines. Oars were used only in exceptional cases, since the wind was the main driving force for the boat. Today there are only two exemplars left: Giulia and Rosina, built in 1925, moored at the dock of Loppia near Bellagio.

The Milano, launched in 1904 as a steamboat and later on converted into a modern motorship with propeller, is still running today. The funnel has a purely decorative function. In 1912, it took aboard gran duchess Theodora of Weimar at Villa Carlotta. To the left: a beautiful image of the Milano next to a gondola.