Como Cathedral (Duomo di Como)
Rising from the heart of the old town, Como's cathedral is one of northern Italy's most satisfying Gothic-Renaissance hybrids — a building that took three centuries to finish and shows every glorious decade of it. Step inside and the tapestried nave, rose windows and Flemish altar cloths will stop you mid-stride.
Architecture Worth Every Minute
The façade is a riot of pink and white marble, carved saints and gargoyles that have been watching lakeside life since 1396. Look for the busts of Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger flanking the main portal — a proudly local touch that no other Italian cathedral can claim.
Inside, sixteen columns march down the nave toward a gilded apse, and the 16th-century Flemish tapestries hanging between the pillars are museum-quality textiles displayed in daily use. The light through the rose window in the late morning turns the stone floor amber.
Practical Visit Tips
The cathedral sits on Piazza del Duomo, a five-minute walk from Como San Giovanni railway station and directly beside the Broletto, the 13th-century arcaded town hall that makes for a perfect double-header visit.
Entry to the nave is free; the small fee for the upper gallery is worth it for the close-up view of the tapestries and the rooftop glimpse over the piazza. Aim for a weekday morning to avoid tour groups.
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