Located in the very heart of Como city centre, at the corner of Piazza Cavour and Via Domenico Fontana, Palazzo San Gottardo is a landmark building that has shaped the cultural and commercial life of the city for centuries. Today, it is reborn as Palazzo San Gottardo, a Radisson Collection Hotel, offering a refined hospitality experience rooted in history, design, and local identity.
The palace’s current architectural form dates back to 1873, when architect Italo Sponciche transformed three independent buildings into a single, monumental structure. This ambitious redesign eliminated the ancient alley once leading to the Colombé dye works, giving the palace the stately presence that still defines it today and makes it one of the most recognisable historic buildings in Como.
Over the decades, Palazzo San Gottardo has been home to some of the city’s most important commercial and social venues, reflecting the vibrant spirit of Como. Among them were Pasquale Mantovani’s Grande Magazzino Torinese (established in 1889), the Banco Lariano, elegant cafés and traditional 19th-century trattorias, as well as the historic Albergo della Dogana, already welcoming travellers in the early 1800s.
The history of the palace is deeply connected to the surrounding Contrada della Dogana, once a lively district of artisans and merchants. Pewterers, goldsmiths, apothecaries with evocative signs such as “del Leon d’Oro” and “della Stella”, and a bakery with an adjoining delicatessen documented as early as 1591, all contributed to shaping the authentic soul of this part of Como. This rich heritage still resonates within the walls of Palazzo San Gottardo.
Today, more than one hundred years after its first opening as a hotel, Palazzo San Gottardo once again stands as a symbol of elegance and hospitality on Lake Como. Carefully restored and reinterpreted through a contemporary lens, the palace blends historic character with modern luxury, offering guests an exclusive stay where every detail reflects the deep connection between Como’s heritage, its vibrant city life, and the timeless charm of the lake.