Tempio Voltiano Monument

The Tempio Voltiano is a neoclassical museum on the shore of Lake Como in the city of Como, built to commemorate physicist Alessandro Volta and opened in 1927. It houses instruments and documents associated with Volta’s work in electricity.

Exhibits include early electrical apparatus such as replicas and originals of voltaic piles, experimental instruments and archival materials related to Volta’s life and discoveries. The building’s temple form and lakeside position make it a prominent landmark on Como’s waterfront, with interior galleries arranged around the central exhibition space.

The museum was commissioned in the early 20th century as a memorial to Alessandro Volta, who was born in the Como area in 1745 and died in 1827. Collections were gathered to present Volta’s scientific achievements and legacy in the region.

Situated directly on Lake Como’s promenade in the city of Como, the Tempio Voltiano is within walking distance of Como’s cathedral and railway station, and is served by local transport links to Milan and the lake towns.

• Location tip: Located on the lakefront promenade near Como’s historic centre, making it easy to combine with a short walk along the shore or a visit to nearby Cattedrale di Como.

What to See#

• Exterior building: Neoclassical temple-style building on the Como lakeside built in 1927 to honor Alessandro Volta, forming the museum’s exterior setting.
• Exhibition galleries: Indoor exhibition halls displaying original instruments, early voltaic piles and documents related to Volta’s experiments in electricity.

Tempio Voltiano sits on Como’s lakefront promenade (Lungo Lario) near Piazza Cavour. It is a short walk (about 5-10 minutes) from the Como Nord Lago railway station (the lakeside Ferrovie Nord station) and a slightly longer walk from Como San Giovanni mainline station.

From the stations follow signs to the lakefront promenade; the museum is clearly visible on the water’s edge and is also reachable by local buses that serve the lakeside.

• Visit in the morning when the lakeside promenade is quieter so you can appreciate the Tempio Voltiano's neoclassical facade and the museum's scientific displays without a crowd.
• Enter from the lakeside promenade for the most direct access and a quick route into the main exhibition rooms about Alessandro Volta's instruments and experiments.
• Spend time with the hands-on and instrument exhibits near the end of the route; these practical displays are less photographed but give clear insight into Volta's work and are often overlooked.