Porta di Como Romana

The main town entrance during the Roman Empire

Main access to town during the Roman Empire, also called “Porta Pretoria”. That was the place to enter Como for people coming from Milan. It was discovered in 1914 and it is now visible thanks to restoration projects carried out in the last years. The porta can only be visited upon reservation. Please call or ask at the Aercheological Museum Ticket Office.

History
The door has two openings separated by a central pillar and flanked by two octagonal towers and was the main entrance to Novum Comum for those coming from Milan. It was also passable by wagons, as shown by the furrows on the stone threshold. The entrances could be closed by shutters down from the upper floor. In the western tower, at a later time, a paved walkway was created, still visible today. The door opens at the center of the south side of the walls of Caesar's age: towards the end of the second century, when it had lost its defensive function, it was embellished with marble slabs and cornices of which some elements still remain. After the end of the Roman Empire it underwent a new restructuring and recovered its original defensive function.

Path
Thanks to a contribution from the European Community it has been possible to install three multimedia stations, each of which includes a version in Italian and one in English, which enrich the visit. The first consists of a virtual book, which deals with the events related to the construction and life of the "Porta Pretoria", with references also to the excavations carried out in the area.
In the adjacent room a second application  offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the main archaeological evidence of the Roman Como, following four paths linked by a precise theme: Leisure time - The city - The journey - The necropolis.
The third location, in the basement, concerns building techniques in use in Roman times.


Information
Largo Gianfranco Miglio 1, Como
Phone:+39 031 252550


Hours
Closed to the public

Fares
Full price € 5

Reduced price € 3
Groups minimum 15 people (each)
Children from 6 to 18 years
Senior over 70 years

Combination ticket (2 museum/cultural institutes) € 8

Family pass (2 adults + 2 children from 6 to 18 years, per museum) € 12

Free admission
Children under 6 years
Severely disabled people + accompanying person
A school teacher every 15 pupils
Registered journalists and tour guides whit valid certificate
ICOM members
Card musei Lombardia - further information