Como
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 31 December 2023
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The city of Como is the capital city of the Province of Como with a population of 84,394 inhabitants.
Standing at an elevation of 201 metres above sea level, it covers a total area of 37 km² and lies 43 kilometres north of Milan, the regional capital of Lombardy. Como is most famous for its Gothic/Renaissance Cathedral which lies at the heart of the Città Murata (Walled City), as well as the wonderful lake which takes its name from the city - Lake Como. |
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Città Murata
There are various areas of the city to explore with the first and most obvious being the Città Murata; the area within the 12th century defensive walls. This is where you'll find the majority of shops and the main sights such as the Cathedral and the old town hall called the Broletto which both lie on Piazza Duomo. Another beautiful church, the Basilica di San Fedele is just a short walk away on Piazza San Fedele.
Within the walled area there are two museums; the Pinacoteca Civica displaying medieval paintings and the Museo Civico which is devoted to various themes including the Italian Risorgimento and artefacts from prehistoric times. The Pinacoteca Civica is located at the southern end of the Città Murata, close to the Porta Torre (also known as the Porta Vittoria); one of the medieval access gates to the city.
Within the walled area there are two museums; the Pinacoteca Civica displaying medieval paintings and the Museo Civico which is devoted to various themes including the Italian Risorgimento and artefacts from prehistoric times. The Pinacoteca Civica is located at the southern end of the Città Murata, close to the Porta Torre (also known as the Porta Vittoria); one of the medieval access gates to the city.
Piazza Cavour
At the opposite end of the Città Murata, towards the lake, you'll find another important square: Piazza Cavour. This is a great place to relax with a drink and soak up the atmosphere around the beautiful lake. The lively square is flanked by lots of places to eat and drink or to simply watch the world go by. From Piazza Cavour it's just a short distance to Como's ferry stop from where you can explore the other towns around the lake.
From the ferry station you can enjoy a beautiful walk beside the lake's shore, the Passeggiata Lino Gelpi, heading up towards the gardens of the 18th century Villa Olmi where you can sometimes take in an exhibition or other events.
Other sights to take in around the edge of the lake are the Tempio Voltiano and the Monumento ai Caduti war memorial, both of which are very close to each other. The Tempio Voltiano is a museum in honour of one of Como's favourite sons: Alessandro Volta (1745 - 1827), the inventor of the electric battery and he whose name inspired the word "volt", now used as an electrical unit of measurement.
From the ferry station you can enjoy a beautiful walk beside the lake's shore, the Passeggiata Lino Gelpi, heading up towards the gardens of the 18th century Villa Olmi where you can sometimes take in an exhibition or other events.
Other sights to take in around the edge of the lake are the Tempio Voltiano and the Monumento ai Caduti war memorial, both of which are very close to each other. The Tempio Voltiano is a museum in honour of one of Como's favourite sons: Alessandro Volta (1745 - 1827), the inventor of the electric battery and he whose name inspired the word "volt", now used as an electrical unit of measurement.
Funicular railway
On the opposite side of the bay to the Tempio Voltiano is the station for the funicular railway up to the town of Brunate. This is one of the favourite activities of visitors to Como; using the funicular you climb above the city with the views of the lake gradually becoming more and more spectacular. On arrival in Brunate itself you can find further viewing areas or for walkers, start one of the many hiking routes around the lake that originate from the town.
Back at the bottom of the hill in Como, from the funicular station you can walk the short distance around the bay to Viale Geno, another lakeside walk that culminates in Villa Geno with its landscaped gardens. This is a great spot for a dip in the lake on warm sunny days.
Back at the bottom of the hill in Como, from the funicular station you can walk the short distance around the bay to Viale Geno, another lakeside walk that culminates in Villa Geno with its landscaped gardens. This is a great spot for a dip in the lake on warm sunny days.
Como and the silk trade
An important part of Como's past and present is the silk trade; in medieval times the city was one of the most important producers of the material while in modern times there are hundreds of companies that are still involved in other aspects of the process such as design and dyeing. Just outside the Città Murata there's an educational museum to the production of silk called the Museo didattico della Seta.
Not far from the silk museum and also just outside the Città Murata is an important church: the Basilica di Sant'Abbondio. The 11th century Romanesque structure is notable among other things for its beautiful frescoes.
Not far from the silk museum and also just outside the Città Murata is an important church: the Basilica di Sant'Abbondio. The 11th century Romanesque structure is notable among other things for its beautiful frescoes.
Comune di Como
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Province: Como
Region: Lombardy Population: 83,361(source: ISTAT 1 January 2023) Size: 37 km² Elevation: 201 metres Top sights: Cathedral, Basilica di San Fedele, Lake, Porta Torre Recommended hotel: Hilton Lake Como Close by: Cernobbio, Torno, Moltrasio, Argegno |
Como Travel
Como is one of the best connected cities in Lombardy in terms of travel; aside from the aforementioned ferries around the lake and the funicular railway up to Brunate, there are local buses in operation as well as numerous train stations. The most important train station is Stazione San Giovanni which lies a kilometre west of Piazza Duomo, just outside the city walls and a walk of around 13 minutes from the centre. From Stazione San Giovanni you can take a train to Milano Centrale in 40 minutes, stopping along the way in Monza (30 minutes).
Stazione San Giovanni is connected by bus (C10 or C70 bus with a 5 minute journey) to the city's second train station - Como Lago. This station is more central and sits close to the lake. This is another station from which you can take a train to Milan (Milano Cadorna), but as it's a stopping service it's somewhat slower with a journey time of an hour. One of those stops is Como's third train station; Como Borghi which is situated between the silk museum to its south and the Porta Torre to its north.
The most convenient airport for Como is Milan Malpensa Airport which is a 40 minute car journey away (50 km). Both of Lombardy's other two airports are also realistic options: Milan Linate Airport is 52 minutes away (67 km) while Milan Bergamo Airport is one hour and 9 minutes by car, a journey of 64 kilometres.
Stazione San Giovanni is connected by bus (C10 or C70 bus with a 5 minute journey) to the city's second train station - Como Lago. This station is more central and sits close to the lake. This is another station from which you can take a train to Milan (Milano Cadorna), but as it's a stopping service it's somewhat slower with a journey time of an hour. One of those stops is Como's third train station; Como Borghi which is situated between the silk museum to its south and the Porta Torre to its north.
The most convenient airport for Como is Milan Malpensa Airport which is a 40 minute car journey away (50 km). Both of Lombardy's other two airports are also realistic options: Milan Linate Airport is 52 minutes away (67 km) while Milan Bergamo Airport is one hour and 9 minutes by car, a journey of 64 kilometres.
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Fly to: Milan Malpensa Airport - 40 minutes by car (50 km)
By train: Monza - 30 minutes, Milan - 40 minutes |
