Spazio Ratti

Spazio Ratti is a civic exhibition venue in Como’s former church of San Francesco. The site’s history reaches back to 1203; its present form preserves Baroque frescoes attributed to Carlo Innocenzo Carloni within a single large hall.

Why it matters

Spazio Ratti brings a historic religious building into Como’s contemporary cultural life. The former church of San Francesco, rebuilt after the medieval structure was destroyed in 1527, later served other uses before becoming an exhibition space. Its frescoes attributed to Carlo Innocenzo Carloni remain a significant part of the interior.

What to notice

The single-level hall retains frescoes attributed to Carlo Innocenzo Carloni on its vaults. The relatively austere space reflects the building’s successive changes from church to military and later civic uses. The contrast between the historic painted surface and the hall’s present cultural role is central to the site’s character.

Context and history

A church of San Francesco stood here in 1203; the medieval structure was destroyed in 1527. The complex later passed through several uses, including housing Napoleonic troops in 1798. The municipality restored the space for cultural use and dedicated it to textile entrepreneur Antonio Ratti in 2010. It now serves as a civic venue for temporary exhibitions.