Around the 1st century BC, Como became subject to the Romans. The walled city is built in the typical Roman grid of perpendicular streets.

Walls and towers of the walled city.

Castel Baradello is a castle built under Federico Barbarossa. It is the most important monument in Spina Verde Park. Castel Baradello was built in a strategic place, on top of the hill, to dominate the surrounding area. Under the rule of Azzone Visconti, the 19.5 metre high tower was raised by a further 8 metres in the fourteenth century. It was dismantled in 1526 by Spanish invaders. Part of the castle is still visible. The castle has become the symbol of the city itself over the intervening centuries.

Como Cathedral dominates the town historic centre. Built not far from the lake  it stands as a marked emblem of the period in which Como and its lake were at the heart of the network of lines of communication of the day, connecting Italy to both northem and central Europe.

 Started in 1396 it was built in different stages over three centuries and a half; the cupola was completed in 1744. 

 Como's Duomo (Cathedral) is the last of the Gothic cathedrals built in Lombardy.

Villa Olmo is a great example of neoclassical architecture. Its construction started at the end of 18th century and was finished in 1812 by marquesses Odescalchi. It belonged to family Raimondi and Visconti di Modrone. In 1925 Como municipality decided to make it a place for cultural events and art exhibitions. Villa Olmo is definitely the most majestic villa at Como lake. It is composed of a huge park and many buildings. Among them, the central building, which is used as exhibition place, the building on the north side, the south and the north casinos, greenhouses, tennis courts, an international hostel and a lido.

San Carpoforo church was built at the end of 4th century, thanks to San Felice, first bishop of Como. The first Christian community in Como grew here. Around 724 Liutprando, King of Longobards, orded to expand the paleochristian building. After the 11th century the church was transformed: a bell tower was added and some new constructions were carried out by Benedictine monks and, later on, by Saint Girolamo devotees. In 1772, under Giuseppe II, the monastery was suppressed and the church became the parish church of the Camerlata area. 

Teatro Sociale ( theatre) was inaugurated in 1813, when Giuseppe Verdi was born. Since its beginning, Teatro Sociale has been a center of attention that attracts the most important musicians and opera singers. In 1899, 100 years after the invention of Volta's electric battery, Teatro Sociale was provided with electric light. In 1943 it hosted Teatro alla Scala that was not habitable because of World War II bombing. Nowadays, Teatro Sociale is open 300 days a year with theater, opera, concerts and dance exhibitions. 

The Tempio Voltiano (Volta Temple) is a museum dedicated to Alessandro Volta, a prolific scientist and the inventor of the electrical battery.

The neoclassical building was designed by Federico Frigerio (1873–1959). It was completed in 1927 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the scientist's death, but it was inaugurated only in 1928. It hosts a collection of scientific instruments used by the physicist including his early voltaic piles (batteries).

 Alessandro Volta was born in Como on 18th February 1745.

He invented the Voltaic pile in 1799.

 With this invention Volta proved that electricity could be generated chemically.

Volta retired in 1819 to his estate in Camnago, near Como.

 He died there on 5 March 1827, just after his 82nd birthday.

 Volta's remains were buried in Camnago Volta.

The Volta Lighthouse stands on a hill in San Maurizio, 150 metres above Brunate, Como. From Brunate you can follow a walking path up to the lighthouse and it takes less than 30 minutes to walk there. You can pay an admission and climb to the top of the lighthouse for wonderful views over the Alps and the surrounding lowland. Even if the lighthouse is closed you will get some great views down on Cernobbio and the valley towards Switzerland and the Alps. The lighthouse was built in memory of Alessandro Volta and was designed by the engineer Gabriele Giussani. It opened up in 1927 on the 100-year anniversary of Volta.

The Casa del Fascio is a building which is considered the masterpiece of Rationalism in Italy. It was designed by architect Giuseppe Terragni in 1932 and completed in 1936. Its modernity, which was uncommon back in the 1930’s, is still surprising now. It combines innovation in the choice of materials and very clear lines, typical aspects of rationalism. Architects, tourists and visitors come from everywhere to see and study this extraordinary building.

The WWI Memorial in Como City was built in the 1930’s. On the occasion of the visit of Italian poet Filippo Tommaso Marinetti to Antonio Sant’Elia’s exhibition at Broletto, Marinetti suggested to build the memorial on a Sant’Elia’s project. Enrico Prampolini, Attilio Terragni and Giuseppe Terragni were involved in the project and design. The inspiration of the project comes from Rationalism and the Memorial is one of the significant shapes in the Como skyline. The monument is by the lake, near the Tempio Voltiano.

Sant'Abbondio Church is a great example of Como Romanesque. It is located outside the town walls, at the side of Monte Croce, along via Regina, in an area that has always been of great importance for churches and necropolis. 

In the 9th century, the church was dedicated to Sant'Abbondio, former bishop of Como, buried here since the 5th century.

After 1968, the cloister next to the church was acquired by Como municipality and restored. Nowadays, the law department of University of Insubria is located here.