In the hilly regions of northeast Italy, Lake Como is one of the most beautiful places on earth, naturally and aesthetically. Founded by Julius Caesar in 59 B.C., and still redolent of the influences of the great Roman Empire, the city of Como is a paradise of sculpture, art, and the architectural remnants of an elegant heyday of ancient civilization. The Plinys wrote philosophy here, and Wordsworth poetry. The lake itself is one of the deepest in Europe, plunging down 1,345 feet in places, and is a characteristic sapphire blue. A deep V-shaped pool surrounded by lush gardens and grand villas, Lake Como serves as Milan's weekend "Riviera" playground. During the past two centuries, surrounding hills were perfect arbors for olive trees and grape vines which gave way to the ubiquitous mulberry tree, in groves of which the hungry silk worm munched rapaciously. The silk worms are gone (to China) but Lake Como remains Italy's leading producer of silk and silk products.