Ville Famose sul Lago di Como

Villa Erba

At Cernobbio, it's one of the most important villas on Lake Como. Built by the Peluso family between 1894 and 1898 according to the designs of architects Angelo Savoldi and Giovan Battista Borsani, it was later acquired by Luigi Erba, brother and heir of Carlo Erba, one of the leading pharmaceutical industrialists of the time. After being the residence of Luchino Visconti, where he filmed the movie Ludwing, Villa Erba was then purchased by a public consortium which transformed it into an exhibition and conference complex. In fact, in recent years, during the spring months, in collaboration with Villa d'Este, the international vintage car exhibition, the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, is organized there. In 2000, the film La partita - La difesa di Luzin by Marleen Gorris was shot there. The villa is only open to the public at certain times of the year and only during events open to the public.

Villa Serbelloni

The park of Villa Serbelloni extends over the steep promontory that separates the two branches of the lake, where, according to tradition, Pliny the Younger owned a villa called Tragoedia.

The park is owned by The Rockefeller Foundation, which kindly allows the Municipality of Bellagio to organize guided tours, and the proceeds from the visits are allocated to subsidize social and cultural activities.

The original structure of the villa dates back to the 1400s and was built at the behest of Marchesino Stanga, the local feudal lord. In 1788, it passed to Count Alessandro Serbelloni, a member of one of Lombardy's noblest and wealthiest families, who dedicated himself wholeheartedly to it, focusing mainly on the creation of the immense outdoor park. Here, he built carriage tracks, avenues, and paths for a total length of about 18 km. Upon the count's death, the villa changed ownership several times and, in the late 19th century, was transformed into a hotel. The complex was later acquired by the American Ella Walker, Princess Della Torre e Tasso, who decided to live there again, then donating it to the Rockefeller Foundation upon her death. Today, the villa hosts conferences and study stays organized by the Foundation.

Villa Carlotta

In Tremezzo, Villa Carlotta was built at the end of the 17th century at the behest of Marquis Giorgio Clerici. In the early 19th century, under the ownership of Gian Battista Sommariva, the villa reached the height of its splendor, enriched with works of art, including masterpieces by Canova, Thorvaldsen, and Hayez, thus becoming an essential destination for a visit on Lake Como. Sommariva also wanted part of the garden to be transformed into an extraordinary romantic park with an extensive botanical garden. The park of Villa Carlotta is famous for its stunning springtime blooming of rhododendrons and azaleas in over 150 varieties. However, every season of the year is suitable for a visit, with ancient specimens of camellias, cedar trees, and centuries-old sequoias.

Villa Balbianello

In Lenno, Villa del Balbianello was built in the 1700s at the behest of Cardinal Durini and is now owned by the Italian National Trust (FAI). It is considered one of the most picturesque corners of the entire lake. Thanks to the panoramic loggia, it overlooks Bellagio and the Isola Comacina, while on the upper floor of the residence, there is a museum that houses the art collections and travel memories of the last owner, the eccentric explorer Guido Monzino. The museum exhibits English and French furniture from the 17th and 18th centuries, Flemish tapestries, Chinese terracottas, African and pre-Columbian sculptures.

Villa Monastero

In Varenna, Villa Monastero originated as an ancient convent and noble residence before becoming an internationally renowned conference center. In 1954, it gained fame for hosting physics lectures by Nobel laureate Enrico Fermi. The garden is original and unique, featuring exotic plants, statues, temples, and balustrades. In 1567, the monastery was suppressed by Cardinal Federico Borromeo and transformed into a private residence. Since 1953, Villa Monastero has been hosting scientific, administrative, and cultural courses and conferences, organized and managed by the Province of Lecco and the Villa Monastero Institution, its instrumental body. The villa is surrounded by a Botanical Garden that extends for almost 2 kilometers along the lakeshore from Varenna to Fiumelatte.

Villa Melzi

Located on the shores of the lake, in Bellagio, Villa Melzi was built for Duke Francesco Melzi d'Eril and is still privately owned. The construction took place between 1808 and 1810, thanks to the architect Giocondo Albertolli. Inside, the villa, the chapel, and the orangery, now set up as a historical museum, are a splendid expression of neoclassical style, declared national monuments. The magnificent garden, adorned with tropical and exotic plants, sculptures, including the famous group with Dante and Beatrice, a Moorish temple, and a Japanese pond, is completely visitable. The gardens were designed by the architect Luigi Canonica and the botanist Luigi Villoresi, both responsible for the layout of the park at the Royal Villa of Monza. The family chapel is also open to visitors.