Basilica di San Fedele

Welcome to the Basilica of San Fedele, a profound monument of faith and history situated in the heart of Como. This venerable structure is one of the oldest churches in the city, with some scholars even believing it was the very…

On the eastern side of the basilica, we find its most famous exterior feature: the so-called 'Dragon Portal,' dating back to the 12th century. This portal is a magnificent example of medieval sculptural storytelling, once…

The main facade of the basilica, while largely a reconstruction from 1914, still maintains the simple and sober setting typical of Romanesque churches. The primary embellishments are found along the eaves line, decorated with a…

Upon entering the basilica, you are met with a space divided into three aisles by massive quadrangular columns. The interior follows a Latin cross plan, common in major European churches of this era. …

On the left side of the presbytery, we find the Chapel of the Virgin, a space of exceptional beauty and artistic merit. The chapel is anchored by a gilded wooden statue of the Virgin Mary, the work of the esteemed Como sculptor…

On the right side of the presbytery is the Crucifix Chapel, which contains a beautiful 1700s fresco by Isidoro Bianchi, a distinguished pupil of Morazzone. This chapel continues the basilica's tradition of housing high-quality…

As you move through the basilica, you will encounter two stone lions that are even older than the current 12th-century structure. These lions are believed to have belonged to the pre-existing early medieval basilica that once…

As our tour of the Basilica of San Fedele concludes, we are left with a profound sense of the 'harmony between man and nature' and the enduring power of faith. We have seen how this site has evolved from a 'pre-existing early…