Piazza Cavour is the principal lakeside square in Como, Lombardy, located along the southern shores of Lake Como, immediately outside the city’s historic centre. Surrounded by elegant buildings, hotels, restaurants, and cafés, it is one of Como’s most important public spaces, offering panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Named after Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, a leading figure in the Italian unification movement, the square occupies the site of a former medieval harbour. Today, it is a pedestrianized meeting place, an important gateway to Lake Como’s ferry network, and a natural starting point for exploring the city’s historical attractions. Short History of Piazza Cavour From Marshland to Medieval Harbour During the Middle Ages, the area now occupied by Piazza Cavour was substantially different from its present appearance. The shoreline extended farther inland, creating a low-lying environment characterized by wetlands and shallow water. Its position near the commercial districts of medieval Como gradually encouraged the development of facilities associated with lake transportation. An important transformation began in 1335, when Azzone Visconti, ruler of Milan and Como, ordered the excavation of a large semicircular harbour. The project was intended to provide additional facilities for merchant vessels, which required Read more [...]
All Squares in Como
Piazza Cavour is Como’s principal lakeside square, occupying the site of a medieval commercial harbour developed during the 14th century. Transformed into a public square during the 19th century, it is surrounded by hotels, restaurants, and historic buildings. Its spacious pedestrian area offers panoramic views of Lake Como and the surrounding mountains.
Piazza del Duomo forms the religious and architectural heart of Como, dominated by the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the medieval Broletto. Nearby, Piazza San Fedele preserves a more intimate historic atmosphere, surrounded by traditional buildings and porticoes. Both squares belong to the pedestrianized centre and reflect centuries of urban development.