Como with Context: A Guide to the Old Town and its Breathtaking Lakeside

Como was historically Italy’s gateway to trade with Northern Europe, nestled at the southwestern tip of Lake Como. On this walking tour with art historian and Context Travel expert Laura Benitti, you’ll find out how Como’s strategic location made it into a pivotal commercial port, and see notable examples of atypical Italian architecture, with influences beyond these shores. Laura will share fascinating tales of Como’s illustrious past, from ancient Roman times to the modern era.

Your tour begins at the Alessandro Volta Statue, a tribute to the inventor of the first electric battery. You’ll venture on to Como’s Cathedral at Piazza del Duomo to gaze at its wonderful Swiss-sourced marble facade, a byproduct of the region’s historic trade links. From there, you’ll learn about Tommaso Rodari, hailed as the ‘Michelangelo of Lake Como’ and his Renaissance masterpieces. Laura will let you in on the controversial history of Casa del Fascio, the Fascist Party’s headquarters during Mussolini’s regime, and its pivotal role in World War II. From the Piazza Cavour, you’ll wind around the picturesque lakefront, where you’ll take in breathtaking views of the surrounding historic villas. Your tour comes to an end at the Lake Funicular Station (Funicolare Como Brunate) where you can continue on to the hilltop town of Brunate, take a boat trip, or simply indulge in Como’s culinary delights.

Along the way, you’ll have a chance to:

• Learn about Tommaso Rodari, a master of the Renaissance, who worked as a sculptor and architect in Como from 1484 to 1526
• Trace Como’s origins from its Celtic roots to its prominence as a Roman settlement in the 1st century
• See where public councils met during the Middle Ages, at the Broletto
• Learn about Como’s silk industry, which dates back to the 1400s, and has evolved to supply fashion houses like Armani and Prada
• Dive into Casa del Fascio’s reconquest by the Partisans (Italians who resisted Fascism) towards the end of the Second World War
• Take in Porta Torre, a fortified tower from the 1100s, when Como’s city walls were almost completely rebuilt after their destruction by the Milanese
• Learn about Como’s strategic lakeside position and how it was perfect for trade between the surrounding regions and the mountains of the Prealps
• Visit Piazza San Fidele, traditionally called Grain Square, the site of Como’s forum in ancient Roman times, and the most important market and commercial square in the city for centuries

This self-guided tour will help you to get a grasp of the city’s fascinating history, with plenty of time to taste good food and stroll beside the lakefront with its magnificent panorama. Join Laura as you navigate through Como’s historic squares, ancient streets, and iconic landmarks, guided by her expert insights.