Torre Gattoni

Torre Gattoni, located on the outer perimeter of the ancient city walls of Como (between Viale Varese and Viale Carlo Cattaneo), holds historical significance as the place where the young Alessandro Volta first nurtured his scientific talents. This medieval tower belonged to Jesuit naturalist Giulio Cesare Gattoni, who was Volta’s mentor. Gattoni generously provided Volta with access to the physics laboratory and natural history collection he had established within the tower.

It was here, in Torre Gattoni, that Alessandro Volta conducted his earliest scientific experiments. In the 1930s, a substation was installed in the tower, which was used to light the city until 1958. Some of the original electrical equipment from that period remains visible today.

The Torre Gattoni appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Como!

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