City walls of Como, Medieval defensive walls in Como, Italy.

The city walls of Como are a stone fortification system that surrounds three sides of the historic center. Large sections of the original structure remain intact and can be explored today.

The first fortifications date from the 1st century BC when Roman troops controlled the area. Later, the walls were reinforced and rebuilt during medieval times and again under the Sforza family rule.

The walls enclose the historic centre on three sides and are still well preserved for about 70% of their original perimeter. They were first built on the initiative of Julius Caesar in the first half of the 1st century BC, roughly 20 metres inside the line of the visible medieval walls, as part of a defensive system covering the Alpine passes toward Milan and the Po plain.

You can walk along the preserved sections using dedicated pathways that offer views of the old town and surrounding landscape. Wear comfortable shoes since the paths can be uneven, and plan your visit for clear weather when the views are best.

The walls clearly show different construction phases, as Roman stones, medieval bricks, and reinforcements from the Sforza era sit side by side. This layering lets visitors spot and understand the different techniques and see how the fortification evolved over the centuries.