Overview
The Door of the Frog
The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, better known, simply, as the Duomo of Como, towers over the city with its imposing façade and large dome. It stands not far from the shore of the lake and, in past centuries, welcomed all those who came from the mountains or the plains. Even today, it is still an unmissable stop for all visitors discovering Como.
Its construction began in the 14th century, but the church underwent major modifications over the following 400 years, leading to the harmonious coexistence of elements of different styles, from Gothic to Baroque.
The façade is elegant and slender, with a large rose window in the centre, large windows and numerous statues. Inside, mighty columns support large, richly decorated vaults. It also boasts sculptures, tapestries, statues and other works of art.
But what most intrigues visitors arriving at the cathedral is the Door of the Frog, on the left side of the building. This Renaissance-era doorway dedicated to the Triumph of the Virgin is decorated with a small statue of a frog that is said indicate the level reached by the waters of the lake during a flood.
