Lombardia – architecture in Como

Walking around Como town, there are several interesting buildings to see…

Some of the old city walls are still standing, a reminder of Como’s strategic importance on the approach to Milan from the north. First built by the Romans, the walls were destroyed (by the Milanese) and rebuilt in the Lombard era.

Three towers remain, above is Torre Gattoni (also used as a laboratory by Alessandro Volta for his electrical experiments) and below is Porta Torre, the main entrance to the old town.

The cathedral has one of the largest basilicas in the north of Italy.

Construction spanned several centuries resulting in a blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles. The façade is 15th-century.

A couple of the buildings in Piazza San Fedele reminded me of the Shambles in York.

I saw this keystone depicting a two-tailed mermaid above a star on Via Odelscalchi. A bit of research brought me to Melusine, a multi-faceted female figure in European folklore, but most likely here a symbol of protection and good luck. The star on lower part of the bas-relief is the Sun of the Alps, also known as the Flower of Life, originally a representation of Creation but currently a symbol of the Lega Nord.

My favourite building is Palazzo Mantero, the former home and factory workshop of the Mantero family, key players in the local silk industry for which Como is also historically famous.

It was built in 1923 in a Revivalist style, based on local “Lombard” architecture between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The facade is decorated with terracotta tiles, geometric and floral motifs on the walls and a lovely wrought iron gate. I’d love to see the courtyard and hanging garden inside, but you can only get in on special open days.

Here are a few other buildings around town that caught my eye.

While my laundry was on its wash cycle at the local autolavandaria, I killed some time looking at the frescoes in the 5th century Basilica of Sant’Abbondio, which is a little off the beaten track.