Como & Surroundings
Landmarks and Monuments in the City Centre
Como is home to numerous monuments and historic landmarks. These include Piazza Duomo and its Cathedral, whose extraordinary beauty reflects the skill of the Maestri Comacini, as well as the Broletto, the city’s former town hall. Other highlights include Piazza Verdi, where different periods of the city’s history come together in the medieval walls, the neoclassical theatre and Casa del Fascio, as well as the Basilica of San Fedele and Porta Torre.
Palazzo Giovio houses the Civic Archaeological Museum, whose collections span periods from Prehistory to the Middle Ages. Other places of interest include the “Giuseppe Garibaldi” Historical Museum and the remains of the medieval churches of San Marco, San Nazzaro, Santa Margherita and Santa Caterina. Just a short walk away are the lake, the public gardens and the Tempio Voltiano, inaugurated in 1928 to celebrate the work of Alessandro Volta, the renowned scientist from Como. The museum houses more than 200 exhibits, around half of which are original.
Museums, Villas and Walks
Another major attraction is the Silk Museum, home to historic machinery and textiles that tell the story of 150 years of silk-making tradition. Another interesting attraction is the Rivarossi Museum, dedicated to the renowned manufacturer of model trains.
Just outside the city centre, visitors can admire magnificent 18th-century villas surrounded by lush parks, preserving the charm for which the Como area has long been renowned. Among them, the most famous and impressive is Villa Olmo, commissioned by Innocenzo Odescalchi and designed by Simone Cantoni, which still retains its original neoclassical character.
Another popular attraction is the Como–Brunate funicular. From Brunate, scenic walking trails lead towards the surrounding peaks, offering sweeping views across the plains and the entire lake region.
Como also offers plenty of opportunities for unique and refined shopping, with products showcasing the finest Made in Italy craftsmanship, from silk and clothing to a wide variety of other items.
Brunate, the Balcony
of the Pre-Alps
Brunate, a small village overlooking the city of Como, lies at an altitude of 716 metres on a wooded plateau.
The distinctive funicular and a convenient road make it easy to reach the village from Como in just a few minutes.
Nature lovers can enjoy beautiful walks and hikes from Brunate towards Mount Boletto (1,236 m) and Mount Bolettone (1,317 m), stopping along the way at the many mountain refuges.
Surrounded by greenery between Como and Brunate stands the Hermitage of San Donato, founded by the Benedictines, transferred to the Franciscans in the 15th century and suppressed in 1772. Inside are a carved wooden altar dating from around 1500, 15th-century frescoes and terracotta statues from the same period.
In the hamlet of San Martino stands the Volta Lighthouse, built in 1927. The tower is 29 metres high and, at night, its light can be seen from up to 50 kilometres away.
Also in San Martino is the Church of Sant’Andrea. Restored in the 19th century, it preserves 18th-century frescoes by G.P. Recchi, memories of Blessed Maddalena Albricci and the legendary Saint Guglielma, as well as paintings attributed to De Passeri.
Comacina Island
Isola Comacina lies in an inlet on the Como branch of Lake Como and is one of Italy’s northernmost areas where olive trees can be cultivated, thanks to the area’s particular microclimate. The olives grown here are used to produce olive oil.
Located in Ossuccio, the island is one of Lake Como’s distinctive and renowned tourist attractions.
One of the island’s most evocative events is the Feast of San Giovanni on 24 June, featuring a traditional boat procession followed by a spectacular fireworks display over the lake.
Isola Comacina offers plenty to discover during a visit, including a rich archaeological heritage, a civil building dating from the Roman Imperial period, a Late Antique tower, the Baptistery of San Giovanni Battista and the early Christian, later Romanesque, Basilica of Sant’Eufemia. Visitors can also enjoy excursions on Lake Como.