LAKE COMO HISTORIC VILLAS
Villas on Lake Como
VILLA CARLOTTA
Villa Carlotta was built in the late-seventeenth century and is located in Tremezzo.
The stunning gardens are planted with English roses, citrus fruit tunnels, camellias, hydrangeas along with azaleas and rhododendrons, century old cedars and sequoias,
Inside the villa you can view the stunning 1823 canvas by Francesco Hayez, The Kiss, depicting Romeo and Juliet.
On the second floor, the private apartments, furniture and objects of Princess Charlotte.
VILLA MELZI
Villa Melzi was created between 1808 and 1810. The Villa itself isn’t open to the public, however the gardens are from March to October. The gardens stretch along the front of Lake Como for 800 meters or so . They were designed in an English style.
The gardens contain a number of exotic trees and shrubs along with some historical items. The gardens contain a number of sculptures designed by architect Luigi Canonica and the botanist Luigi Villoresi.
The gardens are a short walk from Bellagio.
VILLA DEL BALBIANELLO
Famous for being a location for Star Wars and James Bond movies
Villa del Balbianello is located on a wooded promontory overlooking Lake Como in a place called Lenno, near Tremezzo.
The villa is a beautiful 18th century mansion. The Villa can be reached on foot (25-30 minutes walk) or by taxi boat from Lido di Lenno which will stop at the Villa.
The villa has stunning gardens and it has hosted writers, scholars and travelers, including Count Guido Monzino, the last owner of the Villa.
Inside you can find maps, travel tools, books, and collections of his life.
VILLA OLMO
A villa with beautiful gardens overlooking Lake Como in Bellagio
Villa Olmo is a neoclassical villa, designed by the architect Simone Cantoni and was commissioned in 1780.
Between the collumns on the facade are roundels depicting the Greek philosophers Plato, Solon, Thales, Socrates and Pythagoras.
In 1925 Como municipality decided to make Villa Olmo a place for cultural events and art exhibitions.
VILLA MONASTERO
Originally the site of a Cistercian convent (12th century) in Varenna, the estate was purchased by Paolo Mornico in 1569, using his fortune amassed through iron mining in Valsassinia, who transformed it into a prestigious residence.
In 1936 the Milanese De Marchi family, originally from Switzerland, donated the villa to the public and it became a museum, the gardens opening to the public in 1940.
Villa Monastero museum house contains a collection of optical, electronic, and mechanical instruments.
VILLA SERBELLONI
Villa Serbelloni these days is a 5 star hotel so cannot be visited without booking a stay at the hotel, except for restaurant bookings and the bar.
However, the Serbelloni gardens can be visited in Bellagio.
The gardens are, essentially, a park that covers almost the entire Bellagio promontory and extends for approximately 21 hectares (52 acres) with over 18 km (13 miles) of avenues and paths that allow you to admire the large quantity of plants and the stunning view cross Lake Como.
VILLA D’ESTE
Built in 1568 as the summer residence of Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio, Villa d’Este was transformed into a luxury hotel in 1873, becoming a favorite destination for the European aristocracy.
Inside the hotel there are works of art such as Country Scenes by Rosa da Tivoli and Coronation of Psyche by the Canova school.
Beautiful gardens surround Villa d’Este represent one of the best examples of Baroque scenography in Lombardy and Italy. However, in the 25-acre park there are also other styles: Renaissance, picturesque and romantic.