See Como Cathedral with a local guide
Our 2-hour small-group walk includes the Duomo, the old town and the lakefront, starting from Piazza Cavour.
The Cathedral of Como, the Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta, is the most important building in the town and one of the finest churches in northern Italy. It stands a few steps from the lake, in Piazza Duomo, and it took more than three centuries to build. This guide explains what to see, how the visit works, the opening hours and the details most people walk past.
Quick answer
- Como Cathedral is dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption and stands in Piazza Duomo, near the lake
- Work began in 1396 and the church was completed in the 18th century; the dome was designed by Filippo Juvarra
- Look for the statues of Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger beside the main door
- Entry for prayer is free; a ticket is needed for the transept, choir, sacristies and upper walkways
- Our 2-hour Como walking tour includes the Cathedral, starting at 2:00 PM in Piazza Cavour
A short history of Como Cathedral
Construction started in 1396, on the site of the older Romanesque basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. The marble facade was begun in 1447 and finished in 1498, and the rose window dates from 1486. From 1487 to 1526 the works were led by Tommaso Rodari, the sculptor and architect whose family left its mark all over the building.
The church grew slowly over the following centuries, which is why it mixes Gothic and Renaissance styles, with Baroque additions inside. The last great piece was the dome, designed by Filippo Juvarra, the architect who also worked for the royal court in Turin.
What to see outside
- The facade: white marble covered with statues and carvings, with the rose window at the centre.
- The two Plinys: on either side of the main door sit Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger, the Roman writers born in Como. It is unusual to see pagan authors honoured on a cathedral facade, and locals are proud of it.
- The side doors: the Porta della Rana (north) and the Porta dei Rodari (south) are carved by Tommaso and Jacopo Rodari and are often called their masterpiece. Look for the small frog on the north door, which gives it its name.
- The dome: step back towards the lake side of the square to see Juvarra’s dome above the roofs.
What to see inside
- Paintings by Bernardino Luini and Gaudenzio Ferrari, two of the leading Lombard painters of the Renaissance.
- The tapestries, made in the 16th and 17th centuries in Ferrara, Florence and Antwerp and hung along the nave.
- The wooden altar of Sant’Abbondio, dedicated to the patron saint of Como.
- Baroque stuccoes by Francesco and Agostino Silva.
Visit the Duomo with a licensed guide
A 2-hour small-group walk through Como’s historic centre, the Cathedral and the lakefront, starting at 2:00 PM in Piazza Cavour.
Opening hours and tickets
These are the times published on the Cathedral’s official website. They can change because of religious celebrations, so check the website before your visit.
| Day | Tourist visits |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 10:30 to 17:30 |
| Saturday | 10:45 to 16:30 |
| Sunday | 11:00 to 11:45 and 13:00 to 16:30 |
Entry for prayer is free, and visitors without a ticket can follow a route that starts at the Door of the Virtues. A ticket is needed for the transept, the wooden choir, the sacristies and the upper walkways. You can buy it online or at the Broletto Infopoint on Via Pretorio, and the money goes to the restoration of the building. Photos are not allowed during religious services.
Visiting on your own or with a guide
On your own you can enter freely, walk the visitor route and enjoy the building at your pace. It is a good choice if you have plenty of time in Como.
With a guide you understand what you are looking at: who the two Plinys were, why the church took centuries to finish, and what the details on the doors mean. Our Como walking tour includes the Cathedral as part of a 2-hour walk with a licensed local guide, together with Piazza Cavour, the historic centre and the lakeside promenade. It is practical if you come by train from Milan (about 40 minutes) and want to make the most of an afternoon.
Como walking tour
2 hours through the Cathedral, the historic centre and the lakefront with a licensed local guide, in a small group. Starts in Piazza Cavour at 2:00 PM.
Practical tips
- Cover shoulders and knees: it is an active church.
- Visits can be limited during Mass, especially on Sunday morning.
- The Broletto, the old town hall with its striped stone facade, stands right next to the Cathedral: take a minute to look at it from the square.
- From Piazza Duomo, the lake and Piazza Cavour are a two-minute walk.
More ideas for your trip
Planning your day? Read what to see in Como in a few hours, our comparison of a free walking tour or guided tour in Como, and our guide to Lake Como in winter, or browse all our Lake Como tours.
FAQ
Is it free to visit Como Cathedral?
Entry to Como Cathedral for prayer is free, and tourists without a ticket can follow a set route that starts at the Door of the Virtues. A ticket is needed for the transept, the wooden choir, the sacristies and the upper walkways; it can be bought online or at the Broletto Infopoint on Via Pretorio.
What are the opening hours of Como Cathedral for visitors?
According to the Cathedral’s website, tourist visits run Monday to Friday 10:30 to 17:30, Saturday 10:45 to 16:30 and Sunday 11:00 to 11:45 and 13:00 to 16:30. Times can change because of religious celebrations, so check the official website before you go.
How long does it take to visit Como Cathedral?
Most visitors spend 20 to 40 minutes inside, longer if they buy the ticket for the transept, choir and upper walkways. Our Como walking tour includes the Cathedral as part of a 2-hour walk through the historic centre.
Who are the statues on the facade of Como Cathedral?
The two seated statues on either side of the main door are Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger, the Roman writers who were born in Como. They were placed on a church facade despite being pagan authors, which makes them a famous detail of the building.
Is Como Cathedral included in the Como walking tour?
Yes. The 2-hour Como walking tour with a licensed local guide includes the Cathedral of Como, together with Piazza Cavour, the historic centre and the lakeside promenade. It starts at 2:00 PM in Piazza Cavour.