2027 will be an extraordinary year for Lake Como. In twelve months the city will celebrate two intertwined, symbolic anniversaries: the bicentenary of the death of Alessandro Volta, the Como-born physicist who invented the electric battery and died on 5 March 1827 — and the centenary of the Volta Lighthouse in Brunate, inaugurated on 8 September 1927 precisely to mark the first centenary of the scientist’s death.
One year, two anniversaries, the same monument. A combination unique in the cultural history of Lake Como and — if planned well — the best opportunity in fifty years to discover San Maurizio di Brunate from a historical, panoramic and culinary angle.
This guide explains what 200VOLTeVOLTA is, the official bicentenary programme promoted by the Fondazione Alessandro Volta, how to build a day trip from Como to the Volta Lighthouse, and why the route through the Liberty villas up to the panoramic terrace is the best way to experience both anniversaries without getting lost in the crowded tourist circuits of the first basin.
The two anniversaries of 2027 — why they matter
5 March 2027 — Bicentenary of Alessandro Volta’s death
Alessandro Volta (1745-1827) is the Como physicist who in 1800 invented the voltaic pile, the first electric battery in history — a discovery that changed science and technology for good. Volta died in Como on 5 March 1827: 2027 marks exactly two hundred years since his death.
The bicentenary is a scientific, cultural and tourist occasion of national scale. Como will reaffirm its role as a city of science, with initiatives planned at the Tempio Voltiano on the lakefront, at the Volta Museum, and — inevitably — at the Volta Lighthouse in Brunate, the landmark built a hundred years earlier for the Volta centenary itself.
8 September 2027 — Centenary of the Volta Lighthouse
The Volta Lighthouse was inaugurated on 8 September 1927 on the summit of Monte Tre Croci, in the hamlet of San Maurizio di Brunate. Designed by the Como engineer Gabriele Giussani, it is a monumental octagonal tower 29 metres high with a spiral staircase of 143 steps, crowned by two panoramic balconies and by the lighthouse itself, which from sunset to dawn emits a tricolour light — green, white and red — visible up to 40 kilometres away.
The 1927 inauguration was attended by Costanzo Ciano, then Minister of Communications, and was a national event. A hundred years later, the centenary of the Lighthouse coincides with the bicentenary of the scientist it is dedicated to. A historical coincidence unlikely to repeat itself.
A day trip in 2027 — the complete itinerary from Como to Brunate
Here is how to build a full day across Volta’s territory, starting in the city of Como and ending at the Lighthouse, with the focus on San Maurizio, the Liberty villas and the panorama over the first basin.
Stop 1 — Como, the Tempio Voltiano (morning)
Start from Como S. Giovanni station (direct trains from Milano Centrale, 40 minutes) or from Como Lago. Walk to the lakefront and the Tempio Voltiano on viale Marconi — the other great monument built in 1927 for the Volta centenary, home to original Volta memorabilia. It was designed by the architect Federico Frigerio, and it should not be confused with the Lighthouse up in Brunate. A few minutes there, then a visit to Como Cathedral and a stop in Piazza Cavour.
Stop 2 — Como-Brunate funicular (seven minutes)
From the station in Piazza De Gasperi take the Como-Brunate funicular. Inaugurated in 1894 — thirty-three years before the Lighthouse — it is one of the most iconic ways to travel on the lake. Seven minutes, a maximum gradient of 55%; current fares are published on the funicular’s own website, funicolarecomo.it.
Stop 3 — The walk among the Liberty villas of San Maurizio
From the funicular’s upper station, the walk to the Volta Lighthouse follows the historic Via Mulattiera per San Maurizio on foot. A cobbled route of about 1.8 km with 200 metres of elevation gain, winding past a dozen early twentieth-century Liberty-style villas.
Those villas are the architectural memory of the years when San Maurizio was a Belle Époque summer resort for the Milanese and Como upper middle class, transformed by the arrival of the funicular. Floral ornaments, wrought-iron railings, turrets, stucco frames: every building tells the story of holidaymaking before the war.
Average walking time: 60-75 minutes at an easy pace, suitable for families.
Stop 4 — Arriving at the Volta Lighthouse
After the final climb you reach the square in front of the Lighthouse, with its three panoramic crosses. The external terrace at the base of the Lighthouse is always open and free of charge, at any hour of the day or night: from there a 360-degree view opens up over the first basin of Lake Como, the Brianza, the Orobie Alps, the Lepontine Alps as far as Monte Rosa, the Po Valley and — on the clearest days — the Madonnina of Milan Cathedral.
The external terrace at the base of the tower is the highest 360-degree panoramic point in the area: you reach it on foot, no ticket needed and no opening hours.
Stop 5 — A traditional lunch in San Maurizio
San Maurizio still has some of the most genuine family-run trattorias in the Como area — far from the tourist venues clustered around the funicular square. Traditional Lombard cooking, local ingredients, dishes made in house and brought to the table as they would be in a family home.
We are here, in the hamlet, at the foot of the Lighthouse. If you are planning your visit for 2027 — or sooner — stop for lunch with us. We will also advise you on which version of the route to take, depending on the season and the time you have.
Stop 6 — Going down, and the sunset
You can go back down by funicular (recommended for families, and on summer weekends when your legs have already done the climb) or on foot. If you have time and want a variation, try walking down towards Como along the Salita San Donato, which passes the Hermitage of San Donato — a former fifteenth-century Franciscan convent. Two and a half hours of walking, 650 metres of descent.
Anyone staying into the evening can watch the tricolour light switch on — the most symbolic moment of the day, especially during 200VOLTeVOLTA in 2027.
When to go in 2027 — a reasoned calendar
The key 2027 dates to plan around:
- 5 March 2027 — Bicentenary of Volta’s death. The peak moment of scientific and cultural interest. Authorities and national press are likely to attend.
- 8 September 2027 — Centenary of the Lighthouse’s inauguration. A local commemorative moment; a public event by the municipality of Brunate is possible.
- Santa Rita week (May) — the small church of Santa Rita in the Cao hamlet of Brunate, not far from the Lighthouse, draws seasonal visitors.
- Spring 2027 (April-May) — the most photogenic season: wisteria on the Liberty villas, and clear days that let you see Monte Rosa from the terrace.
- Autumn 2027 (October-November) — foliage and exceptional visibility towards the snow-capped Alps.
What to bring for the day trip to the Volta Lighthouse
- Comfortable shoes (the mule track has uneven cobbles)
- An extra warm layer — at about 900 metres above sea level it is always a few degrees cooler than in Como
- A camera, or a phone with a decent zoom (Monte Rosa looks small, but it is there)
- Water and light snacks
- A lunch booking made in advance on high-season weekends
Frequently asked questions about 200VOLTeVOLTA and 2027
What is 200VOLTeVOLTA?
200VOLTeVOLTA is the official programme of the Volta bicentenary, promoted by the Fondazione Alessandro Volta. It brings together the two historical anniversaries of 2027: the bicentenary of Alessandro Volta’s death (5 March 2027) and the centenary of the inauguration of the Volta Lighthouse (8 September 2027). Como and Brunate will be the main centres of the celebrations.
How do you get to the Volta Lighthouse from Como?
Take the Como-Brunate funicular from Piazza De Gasperi (7 minutes; current fares on funicolarecomo.it). From the upper station, walk along the Via Mulattiera per San Maurizio for about an hour up to the Lighthouse. Alternatively you can walk up from Como directly via the Salita San Donato (2.5 hours, 650 metres of elevation gain).
Is the Lighthouse terrace open?
The external terrace at the base of the Lighthouse is always open and free of charge: it is the highest 360-degree panoramic point in the area.
What is the view from the Lighthouse terrace?
A 360-degree view taking in the first basin of Lake Como, the Orobie and Lepontine Alps as far as Monte Rosa, the Po Valley and, on clear days, the Madonnina of Milan Cathedral.
Is the route suitable for families?
Yes. The Via Mulattiera per San Maurizio is an easy path, walkable in 60-75 minutes, with a historic cobbled surface that children can manage too.
Where do you eat in San Maurizio?
The hamlet still has family-run trattorias of the Lombard tradition. Booking is recommended on high-season weekends and throughout 2027.
Come and see us in 2027
We are in the hamlet of San Maurizio di Brunate, a few minutes on foot from the Volta Lighthouse. Whether you are planning the bicentenary day trip — or simply want to walk up to the Lighthouse on an ordinary weekend — we are a natural stop for lunch or dinner. We will also advise you on the best version of the route for the season. Reserve your table.