Traversata Torno-Blevio-Como 2026

In the spring of 1859, the destiny of Como shifted when Giuseppe Garibaldi and his Cacciatori delle Alpi maneuvered through the steep hills surrounding the city, eventually forcing the Austrian forces to retreat after the Battle of San Fermo. Today, the paths those soldiers once traversed provide the dramatic backdrop for swimmers gathering at the lakeside for the annual Traversata Torno-Blevio-Como. The event, organized by Como Nuoto, invites participants to challenge themselves across 2500m or 5200m courses, testing their endurance in a basin shaped by complex natural forces.

As you begin your stroke, you are navigating waters that act as a powerful thermal regulator for the entire city. The local climate is defined by the 'brezza di lago', a gentle wind that typically cools the shoreline during summer mornings before shifting in the afternoon. Beneath the surface, the lake hides secrets of a much older era. In 2018, excavations beneath the former Teatro Cressoni revealed a soapstone amphora filled with hundreds of gold coins dating back to 474 AD, linking the modern shoreline to the late Roman Empire. Further back, the surrounding slopes at Prestino and Breccia were once central hubs for the ancient Golasecca culture, a testament to this area’s long history as a crossroads for trade between Celtic and Villanovian civilizations.

Navigating the basin

While you push toward the finish, you might find yourself gliding over the submerged paths of the Cosia stream. Once a creator of the marshy Pràa Pasquée, the water now flows almost entirely underground, hidden beneath the urban fabric of Como before emerging into the lake. Keep your focus on the shoreline as you near the city center; if the light catches the stone correctly, you may spot the intricate medieval carvings on the Basilica of San Fedele, where the 'Magistri comacini' etched monsters, griffins, and zoomorphic figures into the structure in 1120. These silent witnesses have watched generations of swimmers cross the bay.

The race format remains a staple for those seeking a test of stamina in these historic waters. Whether you choose the 2500m or the longer 5200m distance, the event carries forward the tradition of the Como Nuoto, founded in 1919. For those planning a full season of events, keep in mind that the calendar is dense; for instance, swimmers looking for a different atmosphere can find the Traversata del Lago di Como occurring in July, while the Traversata del Lago di Pusiano offers another alternative in the same region. The water here remains a challenging, living history, demanding respect as you follow the lines once marked by ancient merchants and 19th-century battalions.