Swiss Panorama Tour: Enchanted by the Charm of Como, Italy

On the seventeenth stop of the Swiss Panorama Tour, we step into the picturesque Como, Italy. This historic city is like a splendid historical painting. By the shores of Lake Como, a gentle breeze caresses the water, shimmering with reflections of the charming buildings along the shore. As early as the Roman era, it emerged as an important center for trade and cultural exchange. Throughout the ages, it has witnessed countless changes, with architectural relics from various periods serving as the best testimony. From medieval castles to Renaissance palaces, every brick and stone carries the memory of history. Como is equally rich in cultural atmosphere. In the streets and alleys, artists passionately display their talents, with paintings, sculptures, and other artworks visible everywhere. The local residents are warm and hospitable, preserving ancient traditions while embracing modern changes with an open mind. During festivals, grand celebrations are lively and bustling, with people dressed in traditional costumes, singing and dancing, showcasing their unique cultural charm. The first sight to behold is the Tempio Voltiano, a Palladian-style temple built in 1927 to commemorate the centenary of Alessandro Volta's death. It stands quietly, with two floors displaying items, instruments, and memorabilia related to this great inventor, as if narrating the glories of the past. Continuing along the left bank promenade, we arrive at the 'Villa Walkway' built during the Habsburg dynasty. The first villa is Villa Saporiti, also known as Villa La Rotonda, designed by architect Leonard Pollack at the end of the 18th century. Its ancient walls and exquisite decorations exude former grandeur, and it is said that Napoleon Bonaparte, Queen Isabella of Naples, and Austrian Prince Ferdinand I once stayed here. Villa Olmo is one of the most beautiful villas on Lake Como, with a history dating back to 1782. Its neoclassical style is enchanting, and before entering its splendid rooms, you will first be captivated by its magnificent park. In the city center, the Gothic and Renaissance-style Como Cathedral stands out. The marble surface of the cathedral glistens in the sunlight, and its high octagonal dome adds to its solemnity and sanctity. The architectural style blends Gothic, Romanesque, and Renaissance elements, making it unique and charming. The cathedral is located at Cathedral Square, from where you can overlook the Broletto Palace built in the 13th century. Its exterior walls exhibit Gothic and Romanesque styles, blending together in a distinctive manner. Behind the cathedral stands the former Casa del Fascio, a masterpiece of rationalist architecture. Its four facades are devoid of additional decorations, treated independently, yet the main facade and side elevations cleverly respect the relationship with the surrounding environment. Facing the square, the large colonnade on the main facade reinforces the 'hollow' feeling, providing a unique visual impact. Additionally, Palazzo Terragni is one of Como's iconic buildings. This building is clad in white marble, with each of its four facades differing, leaving ample space for the display of the column-beam structure grid. Terragni understood the concrete frame as an abstract grid, satisfying modern architecture's exploration of structural features while maintaining traditional proportional divisions. Based on the layout of an Italian mansion, he introduced the concept of 'a glass house that everyone can see through,' using large areas of glass and a double-height atrium to connect the interior and exterior, subverting and transforming the mansion's meaning. When sunlight filters through the glass bricks into the interior, the interplay of light and shadow creates a dreamlike atmosphere. Strolling through the streets and alleys of Como, feeling the blend of history and modernity, each building is like an open book, telling the story of this city.