Sailing to Lombardy

A map of the best ports and anchorages

The lakes and rivers of Lombardy

Lombardy features a vast network of lakes and rivers that serves as natural highways. And the proximity of Lake Maggiore and Lake Garda creates an environment rich in natural resources. The Celts swept across the Lombardy around the 4th century BC, bringing with them their unique culture and craftsmanship. The Celts were known for their intricate metalwork, and artefacts found near Lake Como suggest they had a stronghold in the region.

When the Romans arrived, they saw the potential in these waterways, using them to extend their influence deep into Lombardy’s heartland. The area became a critical crossroad, linking northern Europe to the Italian peninsula, and the rivers acted as highways for goods, soldiers, and ideas. Roman engineering marvels, such as aqueducts and bridges, helped control these waterways, giving rise to settlements that flourished under their guidance.

The Lombards, a Germanic tribe, would eventually give the region its name. They arrived in northern Italy in the 6th century AD, ushering in a new era of rule. Their influence stretched across Lombardy’s cities and towns, leaving a distinct cultural footprint. Known for their legal codes and governance, the Lombards also shaped the region’s architecture, with structures that combined Roman and Germanic elements. Traces of this period can still be seen in the region’s stone churches and fortified walls, remnants of a time when the Lombards made their mark as rulers of northern Italy.

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