Lake Como & Around - The Italian Lakes - page 221

ive apse decorated with a beautiful geometric relief around the outside windows, the high-
light is the remarkable fresco series inside the apse.
Depicting scenes from the life of Christ, from the Annunciation to his burial, the fres-
coes were restored to their former glory in the 1990s. A university occupies what was
once the cloister. To get a closer glimpse of the apse exterior, amble into its grounds.

Basilica di San Fedele
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(Piazza San Fedele; 8am-noon & 3.30-7pm) The circular layout of the originally 6th-century Ba-
silica di San Fedele, with three naves and three apses, has been likened to a clover leaf. Its
16th-century rose window and precious 16th- and 17th-century frescoes add to its charm.
The facade is the result of a 1914 remake but the apses are the real McCoy, featuring
some eye-catching sculpture on the right side.
A craft and antiques market MAP GOOGLE MAP (Piazza San Fedele;

BASILICA

9am-7pm Sat) fills the

piazza in front of the basilica on Saturday.

ART TALKS

If you speak Italian, a handy service for those wanting to know more about certain central city sights is Speak
Art . Call 031 25 22 25 from your mobile phone and then key in the code posted on the information panel at
the sight (eg 14, Piazza San Fedele) for an extended description. These calls can be a trifle expensive from non-
Italian mobile phones.

Duomo
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(Piazza del Duomo; 8am-noon & 3-7pm) Although largely Gothic, elements of Romanesque,
Renaissance and baroque styles can also be seen in Como's imposing, marble-clad
Duomo. The cathedral was built between the 14th and 18th centuries, and is crowned by a
high octagonal dome.
Next door, the polychromatic Broletto MAP GOOGLE MAP (medieval town hall) is unusual
in that it butts right up against the church and is rather overwhelmed by it - a singular de-
feat for lay power.

CATHEDRAL

VILLA, MUSEUM

Villa Olmo
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