Basilica di San Fedele

Como


Hemmed in by houses these days and enclosing one side of what was once a medieval grain market, this Lombard Romanesque basilica dates back to the 7th century, although what you see now was built in 1120 after the relics of Roman martyr San Fedele were entombed here in the altar. Inside, its three naves and apses are covered in 16th- and 17th-century frescoes; a handful of older ones also survive, including the Beheading of San Fedele.

If you can, take a closer look at the sculptural decoration on the choir which was carved by Comacini masters and is riot of monsters, animals and griffins. A craft and antiques market fills the piazza in front of the basilica on Saturdays.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Como attractions

1. Pinacoteca Civica

0.16 MILES

Despite its inadequate labelling, Como’s art gallery has a sizeable collection with some rich pickings. Most interesting are the frescoes and sculpture…

2. Duomo

0.17 MILES

Como’s awesome marble-clad cathedral is one of the most important buildings on the lake, incorporating a variety of styles – Romanesque, Renaissance and…

3. Broletto

0.18 MILES

The polychromatic Broletto, or medieval town hall, sits right beside Como's towering duomo. Unusually, it butts right up against the cathedral and is very…

4. Porta Torre

0.2 MILES

The southern gate in Como's defensive walls, bordered by a 40m 12th-century tower.

5. Basilica di Sant'Abbondio

0.54 MILES

About 500m south of Como’s city walls is this austere 11th-century Romanesque church, once the seat of a bishopric built on the orders of St Amantius of…

6. Tempio Voltiano

0.57 MILES

The photogenic lakeside Tempio Voltiano was built in 1927. This neoclassical temple is now a museum devoted to Como-born ­electric-­battery inventor…

7. Monumento ai Caduti

0.65 MILES

This monument to Italy's WWI war dead is a classic example of fascist-era architecture and dates to 1931.

8. Museo della Seta

0.68 MILES

Far from being a flashy collection of silk scarves, this highly educational study of Como’s long-standing textile industry explains the full silk-making…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "italy/the-italian-lakes/como/attractions/basilica-di-san-fedele/a/poi-sig/1018024/1003787",
      "destination": "Como",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Italy",
      "region": "The-Italian-Lakes",
      "city": "Como",
      "position": "superzone"
    }