Discover Como: Lakeside, History and Culture

Como between Lakeside and History

Como is ideal for you if you would like to combine historic buildings, museums, paths along the water and a boat trip across the lake in a varied city experience. The city offers different points of connection for this: scientific remembrance of Alessandro Volta, sacred architecture, the history of silk, as well as paths that direct the view towards the Lario.

Architecture and Cultural Traces

On the lakeside stands the Tempio Voltiano, a neoclassical building created to honour Alessandro Volta and promote his studies. The Tempio Voltiano displays original and reconstructed scientific instruments belonging to Volta, as well as documents and materials about his life. In this way, the architectural form of the building is combined with a specific insight into Como's scientific history.

Villa Olmo was begun at the end of the 18th century and completed in 1812 by the Marchesi Odescalchi. Today, it serves as a venue for cultural events and art exhibitions. The Duomo di Como complements this picture with a long construction history: its construction began in 1396 and lasted almost 400 years. Its façade features sculptures of Pliny the Younger and Pliny the Elder from the workshop of Giovanni Rodari.

The Basilica di San Fedele also reaches far back into history. It may be dated to around 1120; its present layout follows an already existing building. This cautious dating is just as much part of the building's historical character as the recognisable continuity of its floor plan.

Museums from Antiquity to Silk

The Museo Archeologico Paolo Giovio traces Como's early history from prehistory to the Roman period and displays finds from the Lario area. The exhibition rooms are currently closed to the public due to maintenance work. This current status is important for your planning if you would like to combine a museum visit with other cultural destinations.

The Museo della Seta di Como, by contrast, is dedicated to silk production. The entire process is presented: from the silkworm through dyed yarns and hand printing to fashion collections. This gives you a coherent view of the individual stages of this craft and its connection to the regional culture.

Lake, Funicular and Paths

The lakeside promenade in Como offers views of Lake Como and the Lario. The scheduled service operated by Navigazione Lago di Como provides a different perspective: from Como, you can take a boat trip through the first basin of the lake, with stops in Cernobbio, Moltrasio, Torno and Blevio.

The station of the Como–Brunate funicular is located at Piazza De Gasperi. It was inaugurated in 1894 and reaches Brunate in a few minutes. From Brunate, you can return to Como on foot via two routes, one of which passes by the Eremo di San Donato.

For a longer walk, there is the Chilometro della Conoscenza. The panoramic footpath connects Villa Olmo, Villa del Grumello and Villa Sucota. This allows architecture, landscape and movement to be brought together in a clear sequence of paths, without separating the cultural stops from one another.

More Places for Your Travel Planning

If you would like to consider other Italian places in addition to Como, you can find further destinations here for individual guidance: Lomazzo, Porlezza, Zelbio, Albese Con Cassano, Acquaseria, Carimate, Cernobbio and Caglio.

To the overarching travel overview: Como.