Walking tour of the historical centre of Como: from Porta Torre in Villa Olmo

The perfect itinerary for those unwilling to miss the most important sites in the old city centre of Como.

Como is a gorgeous Lombard city located on the Lake that gives it unmatched natural scenery, making it an international tourist attraction.

The beauty and fame of this Lakeside Town is also given by the presence of numerous villages along the banks of the Lake, pleasant places and only known worldwide. The city centre, located right on the Lakeside, is rich in monuments, churches, squares, in a mix of art, culture and history that make it really interesting as well as beautiful to look at.

Walking through the numerous streets, lined with shops, boutiques, restaurants and bars, you can get glimpses of the city really picturesque and, enhance to fully appreciate every aspect.

Among the most significant sites, there are some that are absolutely essential if you go to Como.

The following is proposed a route to be made on foot or from Porta Torre goes up to Villa Olmo, not forgetting the most important places in the Lakeside Town.

Video by Smoppy’s Adventures

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PORTA TORRE

The historical core of the city still has the look of the original Roman Fort, with well preserved medieval walls and large watchtowers, as the port Tower, Tower Gattoni and San Vitale.

Porta Torre, also called Torre di Porta Vittoria, is an imposing fortress, 40 meters high and built in 1192 to defend the entrance to the city.

It is one of the most interesting examples, in Italy, of military architecture of Romanesque tradition. The square Tower from the inside — the one facing the city, presents four storey, arcaded coupled that fit four Interior floors were destroyed.

Starting from Porta Torre you enter the historical centre of the city being able to grasp right away its beauty. Walking through the streets and the different shops is the first square.

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PIAZZA SAN FEDELE

This square owes its name to the Basilica San Fedele, an important place of Catholic worship dedicated to the homonymous saint.
The church is located in the place where before there was a paleochristian church dating back to the seventh century dedicated to Santa Eufemia, while the current one dates back to 1120.
The façade of the basilica is in neo-Romanesque style, while the interior has a Latin cross plan divided into three naves of four bays each and high galleries.

At the center of the square there are often stalls selling products of various kinds.

Proceeding through the center you then reach the main square, Piazza Duomo.

PIAZZA DUOMO

Piazza Duomo is the most important square in the city of Como thanks to the presence of the Cathedral, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.

The Cathedral is 87 meters long and 75 meters high and has a Latin cross plan with three naves and a transept surmounted by an imposing dome. The facade is aligned with the Broletto and the civic tower.

In the square there are numerous very nice restaurants and bars.

Behind the Duomo there is the renowned Como Social Theater, dating back to 1813, which has hosted world famous artists and offers high quality shows.

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PIAZZA CAVOUR E PIAZZA VOLTA

Proceeding in the direction of the lake we arrive at the third large square that directly overlooks the lake, Piazza Cavour.

This is home to numerous events and initiatives.

At a distance of 150 meters is Piazza Volta, full of restaurants and bars, and some of these liven up even in the evening, making the square a popular destination for Como youth.

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VOLTA TEMPLE AND WAR MEMORIAL

Walking towards the lake, take the pedestrian path that joins the lake until you get to Villa Olmo.

It ‘a pleasant and relaxing walk that allows you to have a frontal view of the city of Como and a moment of detachment from life and the city movement.

Along the promenade you come across the Temple Voltiano, a small scientific museum inaugurated in 1928 on the project of architect Federico Frigerio on the occasion of the centenary of the death of Alessandro Volta.

In front of the Temple there is a bar that in summer livens up the Como nightlife and a large lawn, always well cared for.

A little further on stands the War Memorial.

It is an imposing 30 meter high tower with large open windows. Above the base stands a monolith of granite Alzo weighing 40 tons engraved with the names of the 650 fallen soldier of Como in the First World War.

The monument, created by Giuseppe Terragni, is inspired by a sketch painted in 1914 by the futurist Antonio Sant’Elia, with whom he imagined a hydroelectric plant.

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VILLA OLMO

Proceeding along the path along the lake, you pass a series of sumptuous villas until you reach the most famous and well known: Villa Olmo.

The imposing villa in neoclassical style is the final stage of this itinerary in the center of the city of Como.

The building that today is home to exhibitions, exhibitions, and international congresses is surrounded by a beautiful park that is accessed through two side porches, and is the main public park in the city.

The area is characterized by the irregularity of the land and vegetation, due to the wide avenues that run through it, due to the presence of the neoclassical temple, ideal for spending a day immersed in the greenery.

The park has recently been modified adding a modern cycle-pedestrian bridge in lego and iron that connects it with the parks that can be visited in the surrounding villas and with the paths of the hill. Very beautiful is the greenhouse entirely in Art Nouveau style.

In summer villa Olmo also has a swimming pool with a large lawn and access to the lake with deckchairs and parasols.

More info on Sito web Villa Olmo