A neoclassical rotunda for the inventor of the battery
Photo: Valentina Ghinato · CC BY-SA 4.0
Why go
The temple was built in 1925-1927 for the centenary of Volta's death, designed by Federico Frigerio and paid for by the industrialist Francesco Somaini, who gave it to the city. It was inaugurated in 1928, and its design recalls the Pantheon in Rome. The circular hall is part of the exhibition, and the temple makes a calm stop on the lakefront walk.
Inside, the permanent exhibition shows scientific instruments tied to Volta's research: voltaic piles, capacitors, electrophori, electrometers and the apparatus he used to study gases. Many original pieces survived the fire of 1899, which destroyed the Como centenary exhibition, and copies replace the lost ones. Allow about forty-five minutes, and pair the visit with the Life Electric monument along the shore.
Gallery
Photo: Valentina Ghinato · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Manuel Pagani · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Prestinari79 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Highlights
The rotunda is neoclassical, nearly 12 metres across, with a domed roof lit by a central skylight. It is part of the museum, so take a moment to look around before you turn to the cases. The proportions are calm and a little ceremonial, which suits a building made to honour Como's most famous scientist.
The ground floor displays the scientific instruments linked to Volta's research, arranged by theme: the voltaic pile, electrical phenomena, electrochemistry and the study of gases. The Comune counts 234 objects in 15 historic cases, with original instruments and documents next to copies of items lost in the 1899 fire.
Upstairs the museum turns to Volta the man: his life, his honours and original decorations, and a 10,000-lire banknote that carried the temple on its back. This floor also covers the 1899 Como Exhibition and the 1927 International Congress of Physicists.
The temple stands in a garden on the lakeshore, at the end of Viale Guglielmo Marconi. Walk out after your visit: the water is steps away, and Libeskind's Life Electric is further along the shore. The gardens are a good place to sit when the lake light turns gold.
Practical information
From the official website:
Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00; closed on Mondays. Hours may change on holidays and long weekends, so check the Comune di Como pages before you go.
Full price EUR 6.00. Reduced EUR 4.00 for visitors over 65, Como residents, university students and adult groups of at least 15. Reduced EUR 3.00 for children aged 6 to 18 and school groups. Como Family Pass EUR 15.00 (maximum 2 adults). Free for children under 6, disabled visitors and one companion, one teacher per 15 students, journalists and tour guides with ID, ICOM members and Lombardy Museum Pass holders. Tickets can also be bought online.
Information correct as of November 2026. Hours and fees can change: check on the day before you go.
Getting there
On foot along the lakefront from Piazza Cavour, about 10 minutes; the temple stands in the gardens at the end of Viale Guglielmo Marconi.
Train to Como San Giovanni (Milan-Locarno line) or Como Nord Lago (Milan-Saronno-Como line), then walk about 15 to 20 minutes through the old town to the lakefront. The journey from Milan takes about an hour, depending on the train.
Boats of Navigazione Laghi (navigazionelaghi.it) call at Como; the temple is a short walk along the shore. Piers in Como change from 3 November 2026 according to Navigazione Laghi, so check where your boat leaves.
The centre has traffic restrictions; leave the car in a car park at the edge of the centre and walk along the lake.
Insider tips
The museum is closed on Mondays, which is also when many Como attractions are closed. Plan the lakefront walk for that day instead, and save the museum for Tuesday to Sunday.
The Comune notes that hours may change on holidays and long weekends. Look at its pages before you set out if you are visiting on a public holiday.
The Cathedral's integrated ticket adds the Civic Museums, which include the Tempio Voltiano. If you plan to visit both, ask at the Broletto Infopoint in Via Pretorio which option suits you.
Libeskind's monument to Volta stands on the breakwater, a short stroll along the shore. It lights up at night, so it also works as an evening walk.
Nearby
From the Lake Como City Guide, each with its own Holiplanet page. Straight-line distances.
Restaurant · 0.2 km
A first-floor restaurant with a panoramic terrace right on Lake Como, serving revisited Mediterranean cooking with Lariana traditions.
Discover more →Restaurant · 0.8 km
Apulian family recipes and fresh fish, served in the centre of Como a few steps from the lake.
Discover more →Restaurant · 0.9 km
A rooftop restaurant and lounge bar at Hilton Lake Como, open all year with a glass-walled greenhouse and views over the lake.
Discover more →Restaurant · 2.5 km
A mountain restaurant above Lake Como where polenta is stirred in a copper pot and served steaming at the table.
Discover more →Hotel · 0.5 km
A hotel in the historic centre of Como with 27 rooms
View hotel →Hotel · 0.5 km
A three-star hotel in a neoclassical building on Piazza Volta
View hotel →Hotel · 0.5 km
A Liberty-style palazzo on the lakefront in the historic centre of Como
View hotel →Hotel · 0.5 km
A city-centre hotel on Piazza Cavour, right by the lake boats
View hotel →All hotels on the Lake Como map → All things to do on the map →
Questions
Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, closed on Mondays, according to the Comune di Como. Hours may change on holidays and long weekends.
EUR 6 full price, EUR 4 reduced for over 65s, Como residents and university students, and EUR 3 for children aged 6 to 18. Under 6s and holders of the Lombardy Museum Pass enter free. Tickets can be bought online.
The architect was Federico Frigerio, and the building was paid for by the industrialist Francesco Somaini as a gift to the city. It was built in 1925-1927 for the centenary of Volta's death and inaugurated in 1928.
A permanent exhibition on Alessandro Volta: voltaic piles, capacitors, electrometers and gas-study instruments on the ground floor, and his life, honours and medals upstairs. Original pieces survived the 1899 fire; copies replace the lost ones.
About 45 minutes for the two floors. Add time for the gardens on the lakeshore and for the short walk to the Life Electric monument.
