Voltiano Temple - Como

A mausoleum dedicated to the genius of Alessandro Volta

A true temple in Lombard neoclassical style, the Tempio Voltiano is one of the must-sees once you arrive in Como. Built in 1927 on the occasion of the centenary of the death of Como inventor Alessandro Volta, it overlooks the first basin of Lake Como and is surrounded by gardens and small beaches where the people of Como, especially the younger ones, like to spend time in the open air.

Conceived as a modern Pantheon, its interior is characterised by a circular hall almost 12 metres in diameter and dome with central light. The only mausoleum in the world in memory of a scientist, it was designed by architect Federico Frigerio and donated to the city by patron Francesco Somaini. Inside is a small museum dedicated to Volta's inventions, housing scientific instruments and documents.

Celebrated on the back of the 10,000 lire banknote dedicated to Alessandro Volta, the Tempio Voltiano is but one of the monuments in Como dedicated to its most illustrious inventor, such as the Faro Voltiano in Brunate, a 29-metre-high tower dominating the valley below, and the statue created by Daniel Libeskind in 2015, entitled Life Electric.