What is the Lucia? Features and origins

The Lucia is a traditional rowing boat, roughly 5–10 metres long, built entirely from chestnut and walnut wood. Its most recognisable feature is the “felze” canopy: a semi-cylindrical wooden structure designed to shelter passengers from bad weather. The prow is slender, the stern is raised, and the flat bottom made it stable and well suited to lake navigation, allowing it to approach shorelines with ease.
Born as a working boat for fishermen and as a means of transporting goods and people, the Lucia was also used to cross the lake on market days. The name “Lucia” was popularised by Manzoni, but the boat itself existed for centuries before the novel.

Technical features and craft secrets

• Flat keel: ideal for the lake’s relatively calm waters
• Raised prow and stern: to cope better with sudden gusts of wind
• Traditional materials: local woods shaped with techniques passed down through generations
• Lateen sails: when a mast was fitted, they helped harness Lake Como’s winds effectively

The Lucia in Manzoni’s “The Betrothed”

In Chapter VIII of the novel, the protagonists escape from Lecco by crossing the lake on a Lucia, during a night of intrigues and narrow escapes. It is the famous “Farewell to the Mountains” episode—one of the most lyrical passages in Italian literature—where Lucia Mondella, leaving her homeland behind, takes one last look at the mountains that watched her grow.
Manzoni chose to give the boat the same name as his heroine, forging an enduring link between the craft and the lake’s romantic imagination.

“The boat moved on, now driven by the oar—quivering in the water and lending a livelier tone to the song—now left at the mercy of the swell, while the travellers, reviewing the villas and little villages along the shore, named each one as they passed.” — from “The Betrothed”.

Legends and secrets of the Lucia

Local elders say that, in the past, dozens of these boats once existed—each with its own name and story. Some were dedicated exclusively to transporting fish, others to wool, and others still to carrying passengers. One curious tale claims that during the plague period described by Manzoni, certain Lucias were used as “quarantine boats”, where newcomers had to remain before being allowed to set foot on land. Another closely guarded secret concerns the distinctive marks each fishing family carved or painted onto their craft—small engravings or colours that made them recognisable from afar.
A folk legend also tells of a ghostly Lucia appearing on full-moon nights, gliding silently across the lake with a veiled female figure on board. She is said to be the spirit of a young bride-to-be who, centuries ago, waited in vain for her fisherman lover, lost in a storm. Ever since, the “Veiled Lady” is believed to roam the waters in search of her lost love.

Where to see the Lucia today

Sadly, authentic original Lucias have become rare, but you can still admire a few examples in different settings.

Museo della Barca Lariana (Pianello del Lario)

Located in Pianello del Lario on the western shore of the Upper Lake, the Museo della Barca Lariana hosts a remarkable collection of traditional boats, including a beautifully restored Lucia. The museum tells the story of lake navigation through models, tools, photographs and historical documents.

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Events and local festivals

• San Giovanni Festival in Como (June): Lucias parade, decorated for the occasion
• Palio del Baradello in Como (September): historical reenactment with a procession of traditional boats
• Village festivals around the lake: Lucias are often displayed or used for short tourist outings
• Cultural events: some associations organise days dedicated to historic boating
• In Bellano, they are always available at the pier
• Every 5 January in Bellano during the traditional Pesa Vegia celebration

Lucia boat trips

In Bellano, some local companies offer tourist excursions on faithful replicas of the Lucia. It’s the perfect way to step into history and experience the lake as people once did—at the gentle rhythm of the oars.

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Tips for an authentic Lucia experience

If you want a truly authentic Lucia experience: book a sunset trip, when the light turns the lake’s atmosphere magical; ask the boatmen to share stories and legends connected to these boats; visit traditional boatyards where these techniques are still used; and join local festivals where Lucias are often decorated with themed embellishments.

Frequently asked questions about the Lucia

Where to stay to explore the Lucia tradition

To immerse yourself in lake culture and experience the Lucia’s story up close, the eastern shore is an ideal base. From Bellano or Varenna you can easily reach Pianello del Lario to visit the Museo della Barca Lariana, or take part in traditional events in Como and around the central lake. Staying in a Villa Vista Lago apartment in Bellano lets you experience the lake with authenticity—breathing in the same atmosphere that inspired Manzoni and generations of fishermen, artists and travellers.

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Conclusion: the Lucia in Lake Como’s culture

Beyond Manzoni, the Lucia has inspired artists across the centuries. The Como painter Pietro Ronzoni portrayed it in several watercolours, and today it often appears in tourism posters and the works of local artists. Look out for it—and even ask for it—in the little souvenir shops, too!