Festival of San Giovanni

In 1169 the island of Isola Comacina was invaded by the forces of Como because the Island's support for Milano in the 10 year war between Como and Milan.

The island was put to the torch and raised to the ground. The survivors moved to Varenna on the other side of the lake.

Each year on the occasion of the Festival of San Giovanni there is a huge firework display on the island which re-enacts the destruction of the island.

We walked over to Ossuccio to watch the display along with about 25,000 others, some of whom are lucky enough to watch from their boats. Although it is an illusion the island looks as though it is totally engulfed in flames.