Pope Urban II consecrated the altar in 1095 while returning from the Council of Clermont.
The two bell towers are an architectural rarity for the Lombard Romanesque style of that period.
The interior contains frescoes depicting the life of Saint Abundius dating back to the 14th century.
The building was constructed atop the remains of a pre-existing 5th-century Christian basilica.
The stone used for the exterior, Moltrasio, is a gray limestone quarried locally near the lake.
The Basilica of Saint Abundius is a 11th-century Romanesque church located in Como, Italy, notable for its symmetrical twin bell towers. Construction was completed and consecrated in 1095 by Pope Urban II. The structure features a distinctive triple-nave floor plan and a semi-circular apse. The interior contains 14th-century frescoes and a series of ornate sculpted capitals. The facade is constructed primarily from Moltrasio stone, characteristic of the Lombardy region. It served as a major site for relics of Saint Abundius, the patron saint of the Diocese of Como. The current building replaced an earlier church originally dedicated to the Saints Peter and Paul. The church stands on the outskirts of the historic city center, removed from the dense urban core.
From the front courtyard looking up to capture the symmetry of both bell towers.
Walk the perimeter of the exterior to view the intricate stonework on the apse.
Look closely at the sculpted capitals inside for depictions of local fauna and biblical scenes.
Bring a light jacket, as the stone interior remains significantly cooler than the outside temperature.
Do not mistake it for the Como Cathedral in the city center; this is a separate, smaller historical site.
The basilica may close temporarily for private religious services or local feast days.
Shoulders and knees must be covered; maintain a quiet demeanor as it remains a place of active worship.
