Chiesa del Gesu (Church of Jesus), Como

If you're exploring Como’s historic centre, make sure to visit the Church of Jesus (Chiesa del Gesù), officially dedicated to Saints Felice and Amanzio. Commonly known by its Jesuit nickname, the church was built by the Society of Jesus in the late 1570s. It stands on the site of the former medieval civic square (broletto) and reflects both Como’s religious heritage and the transformations of the Renaissance period.

Construction began in 1576, based on designs by Jesuit architect Giovanni Tristano and later revised by Giovanni Antonio Piotti, and was completed shortly thereafter. Though relatively modest outside, the façade is rhythmically divided by pilasters and niches showing local saints (Abbondio and Amanzio), with graffito decorations added in the mid‑20th century by local artists Eugenio and Giovanni Rossi. A bell tower discreetly rises at the rear, giving the church a serene but dignified urban profile.

Inside, the Church of Jesus features a single nave with discreet semi‑elliptical vaulted ceilings. The presbytery vault is decorated with the “Glory of Saint Amanzio,” attributed to Giuseppe Antonio Petrini, while the rest of the ceiling includes frescoes by Torildo Conconi carried out in 1938 and restored in 1968. On the left side lies a chapel honoring Saints Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Xavier, with paintings from circa 1635 by the Recchi brothers-three splendid works set within a marble altar by Raimondo Feraboschi, and housing relics of Saint Amanzio beneath.

What makes the church particularly appealing to tourists is its blend of quiet elegance and rich Jesuit heritage. Often overlooked in favour of Como’s better‑known churches like San Fedele, it rewards visitors who take the time to appreciate a well‑preserved 16th‑century Jesuit foundation still in use. With its central location and serene ambience, the Church of Jesus makes for a peaceful pause in your walking itinerary-and a glimpse into Como’s religious and artistic story.