Como Cathedral
Duomo di Como
A Gothic-Renaissance cathedral built over nearly 400 years (1396–1770), with a dome designed by Juvarra that has become a landmark of Como.
Como Cathedral (Cathedral of the Assumption) stands in the old town center on Piazza del Duomo, connected to the striped-façade Broletto, the old town hall. Construction began in 1396 and the dome was finished in 1770, so the nearly four centuries of work produced a richly decorated late Gothic façade, Renaissance side doors and apse, and a dome by the Baroque architect Juvarra. Beside the main entrance stand seated statues of the locally born Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger, a rare feature on a church façade. Inside, see the 16th-century tapestries and the altarpieces by Luini and Ferrari. Entry is free, but please do not walk around during Mass. Nearby, you can visit the Volta Temple on the lakeshore, dedicated to the scientist Alessandro Volta, who invented the battery, as well as the shopping streets of the old town and the Brunate funicular station, a 10-minute walk away. Getting there: take a train from Milan's Centrale or Garibaldi station to Como, which takes 40–60 minutes, then walk about 10 minutes. Dress code: dress modestly and avoid bare shoulders and short shorts.
Opening hours
Approx. 07:30–19:30 (visits restricted during Mass)
Nearby sights
- Life Electric & Diga Foranea
- Como–Brunate Funicular
- Basilica of Sant'Abbondio
- Como Silk Museum
- Villa Olmo
- Orrido di Nesso
- Greenway del Lago di Como
- Isola Comacina