Fabio Carminati (1966), M.Sc. in Political Economy at Università Bocconi of Milan. He is involved in protection and enhancement of cultural heritage, collaborating with non-profit organizations. As an independent researcher, he has published several papers focused on the Lecco area. Andrea Mariani (1979), PhD, is a researcher at CITCEM-UP and member of different international associations. His research activity and publications, characterized by a multidisciplinary approach, focus on North of Italy and Portugal, mainly on medieval defensive elements networks, social and spatial organization.

• Acknowledgements, Maps and images credits, Maps, Tables, and Images, Abbreviations, Introduction and Methodology, 1. A widespread system for production and defence, 2. Eastern Lake Como. Physical geography, 3. Sources, 4. The Insula and the Fabrica, 5. Eastern Lake Como. A new framework, 6. Conclusions. Scientific studies and outreach activity, Index of People, Index of Places, Index of Subjects

Fabio Carminati (1966), M.Sc. in Political Economy at Università Bocconi of Milan. He is involved in protection and enhancement of cultural heritage, collaborating with non-profit organizations. As an independent researcher, he has published several papers focused on the Lecco area. Andrea Mariani (1979), PhD, is a researcher at CITCEM-UP and member of different international associations. His research activity and publications, characterized by a multidisciplinary approach, focus on North of Italy and Portugal, mainly on medieval defensive elements networks, social and spatial organization.

• Acknowledgements, Maps and images credits, Maps, Tables, and Images, Abbreviations, Introduction and Methodology, 1. A widespread system for production and defence, 2. Eastern Lake Como. Physical geography, 3. Sources, 4. The Insula and the Fabrica, 5. Eastern Lake Como. A new framework, 6. Conclusions. Scientific studies and outreach activity, Index of People, Index of Places, Index of Subjects

Fabio Carminati (1966), M.Sc. in Political Economy at Università Bocconi of Milan. He is involved in protection and enhancement of cultural heritage, collaborating with non-profit organizations. As an independent researcher, he has published several papers focused on the Lecco area. Andrea Mariani (1979), PhD, is a researcher at CITCEM-UP and member of different international associations. His research activity and publications, characterized by a multidisciplinary approach, focus on North of Italy and Portugal, mainly on medieval defensive elements networks, social and spatial organization.

• Acknowledgements, Maps and images credits, Maps, Tables, and Images, Abbreviations, Introduction and Methodology, 1. A widespread system for production and defence, 2. Eastern Lake Como. Physical geography, 3. Sources, 4. The Insula and the Fabrica, 5. Eastern Lake Como. A new framework, 6. Conclusions. Scientific studies and outreach activity, Index of People, Index of Places, Index of Subjects