Location
Como is the capital of its province, with the city centre facing the base of the western branch of the lake.
History
Founded in Celtic times, it became an important Roman castrum (“Novum Comum”) and was later conquered by the Lombards. An autonomous comune from the 11th century, it clashed with Milan in the Ten Years’ War (1118-1127), which ended with the city’s destruction. Rebuilt in 1159 on the orders of Frederick Barbarossa and fortified with walls, it grew thanks to the wool industry and later silk. Occupied by the French and sacked by the Spanish in the 16th century, it experienced an economic revival under Austrian rule in the 18th century through the textile industry. In the 20th century it was one of the leading centres of Italian rationalist architecture.
What to see
- Cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta): begun in 1396 and completed with its dome in 1744, the third-largest religious building in Lombardy; next to it, the Broletto (the old medieval town hall) and the neoclassical Teatro Sociale.
- Basilica of San Fedele: on the medieval square of the same name; also worth seeing are Sant’Abbondio and San Carpoforo.
- Civic museums: the Tempio Voltiano, the Archaeological Museum, the Historical Museum, the Pinacoteca (combined ticket) and, outside the centre, the Silk Museum.
- Rationalist architecture by Giuseppe Terragni: Palazzo Terragni (the former Casa del Fascio), the War Memorial in the lakeside gardens, the Asilo Sant’Elia and the Novocomum.
- Chilometro della Conoscenza: a route linking the parks of Villa Olmo, Villa del Grumello and Villa Sucota.
What to do
Take the funicular up to Brunate for one of the most celebrated views over the city and the lake, with access to several hiking trails. The Spina Verde Regional Park, the main green area within the municipal territory, leads up to Castel Baradello (the climb starts from Piazza Camerlata).
Getting there
There are two stations: Como San Giovanni (on the Milan-Como-Chiasso line), served from Milano Centrale and Porta Garibaldi, and Como Nord Lago, closer to the lakefront, reached by trains from Milano Cadorna on the Como-Saronno line. By car, take the Como Nord exit on the A9 motorway.
Festivities
31 August, Saint Abbondio, patron saint of Como.
Practical information
Tourist Info Point: at the Broletto, next to Piazza Duomo. Cathedral visiting hours: Mon-Fri 10:30-17:30, Sat 10:45-16:30, Sun 11:00-11:45 and 13:00-16:30; hours may vary during liturgical celebrations.