Church of Saints Pietro & Paolo

The church of St. Pietro & Paolo in Nesso

The church of Saints Peter and Paul stand in the town of Nesso, just a few meters from the waters of lake Como. Originally the church faced the lake. When it was rebuilt in 1600 - in a Baroque style - the façade was moved to face the town.

News about the church of Saints Peter and Paul date as far back as 1095 when, according to tradition, it was consecrated by Pope Urbano II in homage to Bishop Rainaldo whose remains are conserved inside the building. Bishop Rainaldo would often stay in Nesso for long periods of time, so much so that the church was elevated to the rank of Duomo (Cathedral).

Remains of a fresco in the utility room adjacent to the bell tower are what can still be seen of the ancient church; it is not certain if another church existed in the Nesso territory prior to this one.

Inside, together with the high altar, the church hosts four side chapels dedicated to: the Holy Mother of the Rosary, the Crucifixion, Saint Joseph and Saint Francis Xavier. 18th century stuccoes and paintings by Francesco Maria Bianchi can be seen in the chapel of the Crucifixion; Giovan Battista Caprani, a local painter, realized the paintings in the cappella del Rosario.

Of great value are the frescoes Carlo Innocenzo Carloni, inside the chapel of Saint Joseph, and the baptistery with frescoes by Luigi Tagliaferri. The furniture is even of high artistic value; the confessionals with splendid engravings, the tabernacle, the marble altar, and copper lamps and candelabras.