Como

Welcome to Como, a city that sits at the southwestern tip of its namesake lake, where the water meets the mountains in a landscape that has captivated the human imagination for millennia. As we stand here, we are not merely in a…

Standing before the Tempio Voltiano, we find ourselves at a monument that is as much a scientific shrine as it is an architectural masterpiece. This Neoclassical structure, which resembles a Greco-Roman temple, was completed in…

Walking out onto the dam that extends into the lake, we encounter a stark contrast to the Neoclassical temple we just left. Here stands 'Life Electric,' a contemporary monument designed by the world-renowned architect Daniel…

Leaving the water’s edge, we move into Piazza Cavour, the expansive square that serves as the ceremonial entrance to Como’s historic core. This piazza is named after Camillo Benso, the Count of Cavour, a pivotal figure in the…

Now we approach the architectural crown of the city: the Cathedral of Como, or the Duomo. This is not merely a church; it is a monumental chronicle of three and a half centuries of artistic evolution. …

Directly adjacent to the grand cathedral stands a building that represents the civic heart of medieval Como: the Broletto. Built in twelve-fifteen, this former town hall is a classic example of the Romanesque-Gothic style that…

As we wander deeper into the narrow streets of the old city, we emerge into Piazza San Fedele, a square that feels remarkably intimate and steeped in a different kind of history. This was once the center of the city’s commercial…

Our journey through the historical center brings us to the southern edge of the ancient city, where the formidable Porta Torre stands. This massive defensive gate was built in eleven-ninety-two, shortly after Como had been…

As our walk through Como comes to an end, we return toward the lakefront, perhaps the best place to reflect on the layers of history we have uncovered. From the Roman grid laid out by Caesar to the scientific breakthroughs of…