In 1945, two hundred years after the birth of Alessandro Volta, Como chose to commemorate its most illustrious scientist at a particularly difficult time in national history. The country had just emerged from the war, but the city felt it was essential to reaffirm, even symbolically, the values of culture and science.
The celebrations are held in a sober but solemn manner, with ceremonies at the Teatro Sociale, Como Cathedral and Volta’s tomb. In an atmosphere of contemplation, these places become spaces for remembrance and civic reflection, marking the continuity between Volta’s scientific legacy and the moral rebirth of the post-war period.
On the occasion of the bicentenary, the book Como ad Alessandro Volta nel II centenario della nascita (Marzorati Editore, 1945) was published, promoted by the Municipality of Como and the Committee for the Honours to Volta. The work brings together scientific, historical and iconographic contributions, offering a broad and up-to-date view of the scientist’s life and work.
The volume includes essays by scholars such as Giovanni Polvani and Carlo Volpati on scientific topics, and historical contributions by Federico Frigerio, Ettore Rota and others. In closing, a contribution by Società Idroelettrica Comacina highlights Volta’s role in the development of the modern electricity industry, reaffirming its relevance even in the post-war context.
