Tempio Voltiano

Neoclassical temple dedicated to Alessandro Volta 

Alessandro Volta's "Temple", the Tempio Voltiano was inaugurated on 15th July 1928, it was built on the occasion of the first centenary of Alessandro Volta’s death (1745-1827). Francesco Somaini (1855-1939), owner of a cotton mill in Como and Member of Parliament had the idea of building a place devoted to the memory of the great physicist and to preserve his scientific tools and documents. He had painfully witnessed the ravaging fire that had destroyed the pavilions of the Great Exhibition arranged in Como for the first centenary of the invention of the electric battery, in the summer of 1799. Somaini provided all the necessary financial resources.The architect Federico Frigerio (1873-1959) was put in charge of the project. He believed that “to honour a man who was among the brightest glories of the Napoleonic Era” the most appropriate style would be the Neoclassical style.
The building was featured on the 10.000 Liras bill.

Information
Viale Marconi
Phone: 335 8489213

Opening hours

From Tuesday to Sunday
10 am – 6 pm
Last admission at 5.30 pm

Closing days 2025: every Monday except April 21th - June 2th - December 8th; January 1st - May 1st - August 15th - Decembre 25th

Fares
Access to the building is subject to a fee: the entrance ticket can be purchased directly at the cash desk using cash or credit card, or on the website https://museicomo.vivaticket.it/
For all residents of Como and its province it is possible to purchase the CoMmUnity card, a subscription valid for 365 days from the date of issue which allows unlimited access to the Pinacoteca civica, the Tempio Voltiano and the Como Cathedral. Como Art pass allows you to visit the three sites in 72 hours.
Rates in force
Reservations are recommended for groups or schools by contacting the Museum's Secretariat.

Free entry days
International Museum Day (May 18th)
FAMU, Family day at Museum (October)
Patron saint of the city (August 31st)