The bus picked us up from the hotel and we were off to the beautiful city of Como. When we entered the city we were surrounded by tight roads and historical buildings but when I looked up, the rich green mountains were caressing the sky. I thought about how Italians used to live back in the 1300 in Como and also saw the same mountains and gorgeous lake that I did. It may be hundreds of years later but we share the same beautiful scenery. Once we got to the Museo Didattico Della Seta we had Prof. St. Jean be our tour guide as she read the book about each machine. The air was dry and the scent created a very old timeline. These machines go back to pre-Roman era but the equipment was so ahead of its time. I learned everything I know about silk from the museum. Especially how the silk worm forms and how precious and delicate the process is. Extremely innovative for the time, how did they think a worm could create fabric, even better, silk? How did they understand the delicate process and how to maintain its luster without jeopardizing it from all the steps? Unbelievable! Once the worm is born it is approximately one-millimeter long and grows up to 8-9 centimeters. For it’s last stage (5th stage), the worm looks for the “cocoonery”, a brand or stem on which it transforms itself for the last time. It hangs by its rear legs and begins to release from a spinneret and instantly hardens when it comes to air. The thread consists of 2 strands fibroin held together by a kind of glue, sericin. Within in 2-3 days the silkworm produces a durable thread approximately 1,200 meters long. We were able to see a Cocoonery with silkworm cocoons from not just Italy but also India. They usually are white or yellow, their natural colors. I did not know that they actually can form in moths but are not destined to fly because in ancient years, they were always left in incubation.
I was able to see a mulberry slicer, boxes to transport silkworm eggs, incubators, reelers from many different centuries, various different silk-filament winders and silk throwers. When I entered the room with the “double-deck” throwing machine I was stunned by the complexity. The silk looked like hair and could possibly be used for wigs. Actually, in the Elizabethan they did use silk for wigs. It was just something I was joking about but it was actually true! The museum ended with the printing room and was decorated with blocks (wood or metal with a pattern or design) also known as “tampon” and “planches”. This is the oldest method of printing fabrics and is based on xylography, developed in the Western part of the world between 14th- 15th century. This was my favorite room out of the museum because I was able to compare the designs and patterns from history to modern time. I ended up buying a handkerchief for myself and a scarf for my mom made out of 100% Como silk to bring back to New Jersey. I am sure my mom is going to like it, she told me to get her silk and not come back home with out it.
After the museum some of the girls and I strolled around the city and found somewhere to eat. The town is pretty small but it automatically gives you a sense of comfort. We got dropped off by the port and everything is picturesque. I was in a postcard. We grabbed a quick lunch by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brescia and than took an hour boat ride around Lake Como. The captain of the boat was more than friendly with us and was trying to start conversation through his window. We rode through the water and just gazed up and down the gorgeous mountains. There were mansions and little restaurants right next to the water. We stopped to 4 or 5 ports in Como so we could experience all that Lake Como could offer. We were surrounded by beautiful gardens and villas, I now understand why George Clooney lives here. We spent the whole day in paradise visiting little shops and going in and out of little piazzas around the city. I will for sure enjoy it again on Monday!
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