City Walls

29-m tower was erected in 1927 in honour of Alessandro Volta. Boasting some of the best views on the lake, this very high building will allow you to look down on the lake some 2000 feet below. The views are much better than from the free terrace below.

Como's richly decorated 14th-century Gothic-Renaissance Cathedral. Note the statues of Pliny the Elder and Younger at the sides of the main entrance!

A Romanesque basilica built in 11th century; inside some 13th-century frescos. The basilica was built on the site of an early Christian basilica of the 5th century, dedicated to the holy apostles Peter and Paul. Between 1050 and 1095, the Benedictines rebuilt the church in Romanesque style. In the 16th century the basilica underwent profound renovations, assuming a classical look, while the construction of the grandiose cloister was also started. In 1834 the buildings, now in a serious state of decay, were partly demolished and rebuilt. From 1863, the basilica was restored its Romanesque appearance; during the works the foundations of the early Christian building and those of the external narthex, which had been demolished during the 16th century, were also found. The current facade is based on what was once the portico. In 1928 Antonio Giussani carried out a new restoration of the church, replacing all the window panes, redoing the roofs of the naves, apses and choir, plastering the walls and vaults again and rebuilding the high altar and the altars located in the Musso marble. In 1968 the transfer of the Episcopal Seminary to Muggiò again caused the abandonment and rapid deterioration of what had been the seat of the monastery. It was purchased in 1974 by the Municipality of Como, which has taken care of its restoration and redevelopment. It is now the seat of the Faculty of Law of the University of Insubria. It belongs to the parish of the Santissima Annunciata - sanctuary of the Santissimo Crocifisso, entrusted to the regular clerics of Somasca.

A nice stop on your stroll along the waterfront, the temple to Volta is designed in neoclassical style. It houses an exhibition about Volta (a native of Como who invented the electric battery). The front of the building showcases two statues, representing science and faith. It was featured on the Italian 10,000-lira note before the introduction of the euro.

An interesting, imposing, 33-m-high building, it is one of the tallest structures near the water. Built in the 1930s to honour Italian soldiers killed in World War I.

Museum showing the history of Como - also features Egyptian and Greek artefacts.