Fontana di Camerlata (Camerlata Fountain), Como

The Camerlata Fountain (Fontana di Camerlata) is a striking monument on the outskirts of Como. Designed by architect Cesare Cattaneo and abstract painter Mario Radice, it was first unveiled at the VI Milan Triennale in 1936, where it earned accolades from critics for its daring modernist aesthetic. Later dismantled during WWII, it was reassembled and installed in its current location between 1962 and 1964, honoring its original purpose as a civic gateway.

The sculpture is a masterful study in geometric balance: four white concrete spheres are vertically stacked, interspersed with four horizontal cantilevered rings, hovering above two circular basins of differing sizes. A fifth ring positioned vertically beside the ensemble completes the composition. Together, these elemental forms evoke movement, echoing the swirling vehicular traffic that encircles the plaza-aptly described by Cattaneo’s son as a “monument to motor traffic”.

Rather than conveying deep symbolism or narrative, the fountain expresses modernism’s purity of form: Cattaneo and Radice considered it "pure decoration," celebrating beauty through geometric harmony and abstraction alone, not through literary or symbolic reference. Its light, open structure and elegant proportions reflect the rationalist movement’s ideals: clarity, order, and aesthetic restraint.

For visitors exploring Como, the Camerlata Fountain offers a perfect blend of art, history, and local character. Located in a bustling junction at the entrance to the Camerlata district, the fountain draws the eye of passersby and provides a refreshing pause amid the traffic. Though sometimes overlooked in favor of Como’s lakeside sights, it remains a distinctive landmark, especially appreciated by those interested in the evolution of Italian modernist architecture during the early 20th century.