About
In an area that has long been a center for churches and necropolises, the Basilica di Sant'Abbondio is a great example of Como Romanesque architecture.
The current structure was built on top of a 5th century church dedicated to Sts. Peter and Paul, which had been commissioned by the third bishop of Como, St. Amantius. Located approximately 1 km outside the city walls, it was designed to house various relics of the two saints brought from Rome by Amantius himself. This basilica served as the bishop's seat until 1007 when Bishop Alberic relocated it within the city walls. The Benedictines then took over and reconstructed the building in Romanesque style between 1050 and 1095. They dedicated the new structure to Amantius' successor, Abundius. Remains of the original Palaeo-Christian church were discovered during a restoration in 1863 and can still be seen today through black and pale marble stones on the floor. The renovated basilica featured a nave and four aisles and was consecrated by Pope Urban II on June 3, 1095.
