The fisherman village of Domaso, still retaining its ancient charm, is located at the mouth of the Livio river on the western side of Lake Como. The oldest part of this village is located right on the lake shore, with its historic center south of the river, while its hamlets of Pozzolo and Gaggio are located more inland and uphill.
From the lakeshore, narrow alleys (which the locals call “strecc”) lead to the typical fisherman houses with their arches and verandas painted in lively colors. The customs and traditions of the past are represented in frescoes depicting Renaissance saints painted on the facades.
The privileged Lake climate is particularly favorable for the local vineyards producing the excellent Domasino wine, and the local summer breeze, called Breva, is ideal for a variety of water sports.
Along the lake shore visitors can admire several ancient villas, today all privately owned. Especially interesting is Villa Camilla, built for the Ghezzi family at the beginning of 17th century.
This property had several owners until 1903, when it was purchased by the Count Sebregondi, who named it Camilla in honor of his first wife. During his ownership, he expanded both the villa and its surrounding park. The rectangular shaped, neo-classical villa has an impressive stone terrace and still has its original façade, whereas its interiors have been renovated several times. The 8000 square meter park surrounds the building with a wide variety of plants and trees typical of the Lake area, such as sequoias, cedar trees, larches, bay trees and magnolias. Especially beautiful is the 560 square meter camelia garden. In 1955, his heirs sold the property to the city, which then began to use the villa for a variety of cultural events, painting and antique exhibitions and concerts.
Worth a visit is also the 13th century church of San Bartolomeo, built in Romanesque style and then completely transformed in late baroque. It hosts several works of art, including a gothic fresco of the Madonna del Giglio, 18th century frescoes by Ligaria, and the fine painting depicting the Madonna with little Jesus and Saints Pietro and Paolo, painted in 1609 by Procaccini.
To the north of river Livio is the tourist side of Devio. Where only a few decades ago were only fields and pastures, there are now camp grounds, residences, restaurants and bars, making the town one of the most active centers in the entire Lake Como area.