The church was built on the foundations of a Roman-era building, which was repurposed into a 5th-century Christian baptistery.
The apse is unusually oriented toward the west, deviating from the typical east-facing orientation of contemporary religious structures.
The facade features a prominent bell tower that was integrated into the main structure during the 12th-century expansion.
Some wall sections contain recycled Roman-era stone elements, including decorative fragments from older local tombs.
The internal frescoes represent different stylistic eras, with the oldest examples dating to the 11th century.
Chiesa di Santa Maria del Tiglio is a 12th-century Romanesque church situated on the shores of Lake Como in Gravedona. Constructed primarily from local black and white marble, the building stands on the site of a 5th-century baptistery dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. It features a unique inverted orientation, with the apse facing west instead of the traditional east. The interior retains significant medieval frescoes dating from the 11th to the 15th centuries. A notable wooden crucifix from the 12th century is preserved within the nave. The exterior masonry showcases intricate geometric patterns created by the alternating use of stone materials. It remains an important example of Lombard Romanesque architecture in the Como region. The structure functioned as the main baptistery for the surrounding pieve before transitioning into a parish church.
The lakeside exterior of the apse, which captures the reflection of the stone facade against the water.
Bring a light jacket as the interior stone walls stay cool even during warm summer months.
Take time to walk around the exterior to view the intricate contrast of the local black and white marble.
Combine your visit with a walk along the nearby lakeside promenade in Gravedona.
Do not attempt to enter if there is a religious service or wedding in progress.
Frequently closed during the winter season; hours are typically limited to weekends or holiday periods outside of the peak summer months.
Maintain a quiet tone; dress modestly by covering shoulders and knees out of respect for a religious site.
