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: +39 031 574705

Opening hours

The Museum is closed to the public for renovation

From Tuesday to Sunday
10 am – 6 pm
Last admission at 5.30 pm
Closed on Mondays, January 1st, April 12th (Easter), November 1st, December 25th and 26th
Special opening: April 13th (Easter Monday)


Fares
Full price € 4
Reduced price € 2
Groups minimum 15 people
Children from 6 to 17 years
Senior over 70 years
Free admission
Children under 6 years
Severely disabled people + accompanying person
Journalists and tour guides whit valid certificate
Card musei Lombardia
ICOM members

Free admission days
March 22nd, FAI Spring Day
May 17th, International Museums Day