{"id":710,"date":"2026-02-16T14:36:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T14:36:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eugigufo.net\/en\/?page_id=710"},"modified":"2026-02-16T14:36:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T14:36:17","slug":"erba2015","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/eugigufo.net\/en\/travel\/erba2015\/","title":{"rendered":"Erba, 19 December 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a>In recounting my visit to Erba (in the Province of Como), I risk a certain lack of impartiality. I had boarded the train in autumn — which, for reasons known only to Milan, is officially considered winter — and disembarked in what could only be described as spring: recognisable almost everywhere by a particular quality of light, the awakening of plants, and a noticeable improvement in public morale. The date, however, remained identical in both cities.
\n
\n<\/a>With this meteorological advantage duly acknowledged, I can report that Erba is, on the whole, rather pleasant. In the historic centre one observes a fortunate coexistence between older buildings and more recent constructions.
\n
\n<\/a>Paradoxically, many of the older buildings, when considered individually, possess little distinction…
\n
\n<\/a>…whereas several of the modern ones might reasonably aspire to more frequented locations.
\n
\n<\/a>The Town Hall is the least stimulating building in the vicinity.
\n
\n<\/a>The rapprochement between old and new reaches its peak in the renovation of the local cathedral. From the outside, nothing unusual is apparent; within, however, two architectural tendencies separated by several centuries coexist with surprising confidence. A photograph would not adequately convey the effect. It is advisable to see it in person.
\n
\n<\/a>Of the interior I shall show only the episcopal heads on the altar — an uncommon feature in Northern Italy.
\n
\n<\/a>The other churches of Erba are interesting, though their detailed description is best left to specialists.
\n
\n<\/a>Another example of the «friendship» between past and present is the former electrical substation. One cannot help wondering why such aesthetic ambition is no longer customary.
\n
\n<\/a>Even industry still active in the twenty-first century appears respectful of its historic premises.
\n
\n<\/a>It is often individual residents who compromise their period homes through enthusiastic applications of contemporary building materials.
\n
\n<\/a>Fortunately, there are historically responsible inhabitants who preserve intriguing artefacts from the past. For example, an insurance plaque remains in situ.
\n
\n<\/a>On the subject of plaques: in the outskirts, street name signs also indicate the house numbers corresponding to each segment (as in Gambolò<\/a>). A commendable gesture towards orientation.
\n
\n<\/a>Returning to the historical heritage: certain companies — including the railways — deserve praise for retaining, after renovation works, the counter of the old station bar.
\n
\n<\/a>As well as a period technical structure:
\n
\n<\/a>One former resident, having departed for more promising horizons, has left behind a thoughtful gift for attentive photographers.
\n
\n<\/a>Among those who remain are parents capable of offering their children notably elegant presents.
\n
\n<\/a>And what does the municipality contribute? Among other things, it maintains attractive parks. One lies behind the monument to the fallen of the First World War.
\n
\n<\/a>It is a park of unusual proportions — long, narrow, and largely uphill — yet intriguing. It includes an open-air summer theatre, complete with technical installations mounted discreetly among the surrounding trees…
\n
\n<\/a>…and underground passages that have been inaccessible for several decades. One trusts they are not currently residential.
\n
\n<\/a>A particularly amiable local gentleman asked to be photographed on the staircase. Regrettably, I almost immediately forgot his name. Should any reader recognise him, kindly extend my greetings.
\n
\n<\/a>The other principal park distinguishes itself mainly by the generous quantity of outdoor «artworks» and a spirit of civic self-management.
\n
\n<\/a>Returning to municipal commitment in matters of urban decorum: litter bins for small waste have been elevated to the rank of monuments.
\n
\n<\/a>The models prevalent in Erba are, unfortunately, both limited in variety and aesthetically unpersuasive. Only those at the railway station are equipped with ashtrays; elsewhere, smokers and street sweepers appear to negotiate independently.
\n
\n<\/a>A minor miracle of daily life: in the last-mentioned park, a public toilet was observed — clean, functional, and free of charge. I briefly suspected a dream, but dreams cannot, fortunately or unfortunately, be photographed.
\n
\n<\/a>Another architectural curiosity in a related category: the station toilet lacks gender symbols at the entrances. I was therefore obliged to choose at random. The fact that I am still alive suggests the decision was correct.
\n
\n<\/a>Perhaps it is time to move to higher matters. The highest, indeed. A close examination of one of the nativity scenes displayed in the town initially startled me. Reactions may vary.
\n
\n<\/a>Recovery from such aesthetic intensity can be facilitated by one of the many benches in the centre — amenities that would prove beneficial in virtually any city.
\n
\n<\/a>And what of local businesses? A dairy farm, for instance, has installed a fresh milk vending machine by its gate. Bottles, if I understood correctly, are included in the price. Efficiency and pastoral charm coexist.
\n
\n<\/a>The town’s sole advertising agency appears to rely upon a single graphic device, applied consistently across all its billboards. Consistency, at least, is not lacking.
\n
\n<\/a>Local taxi drivers display a public price list (observed near the station). Transparency is always welcome.
\n
\n<\/a>Having mentioned the railway station repeatedly, I should finally present it: it is relatively attractive.
\n
\n<\/a>I also received official confirmation of the purpose of this device: it assists passengers with disabilities.
\n
\n<\/a>Digital clocks at the station — functioning and accurate. Approval is warranted.
\n
\n<\/a>I conclude with an image of one of the most elegant underpasses I have encountered.
\n
\nMy final words concern, once again, the inhabitants. It is genuinely rare to encounter an entire town population so consistently pleasant. When, for instance, I entered through the wide-open gate of a handsome villa (a sign nearby suggested an exhibition), I was informed with exceptional courtesy that it was, in fact, a private residence. I withdrew under my own power and without haste.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The photographic account of a tourist visit to Erba on 19 December 2015. My impression of the place: if you are in the area, you may stop by.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":206,"menu_order":56,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-710","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eugigufo.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/710","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eugigufo.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eugigufo.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eugigufo.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eugigufo.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=710"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/eugigufo.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/710\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eugigufo.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/206"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eugigufo.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=710"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}