This Is Italy
Villa del Balbianello is one of the most beautiful places on Lake Como. Reason enough for producers of films like James Bond - Casino Royale en Star Wars Episode II – Attack of the Clones to use the villa and the surrounding garden as a backdrop in some scenes. In this article you will find more information about the Villa, the Loggia and the Garden.
Villa del Balbianello – a brief history
The Villa and the accompanying Loggia (the columned balcony, known from the pictures of weddings) were built at the end of the 18th century. Cardinal Durini then acquired the Punta di Làvedo, a romantic peninsula on the western shore of Lake Como.
In a place where Franciscan friars used to stay – the church towers are still a reminder of this – the cardinal had a quiet summer residence built where he could retire to read.
When the Cardinal died in 1797, Villa del Balbianello already consisted of 2 compound square spaces and the elegant Loggia, which connected the library and the music room.
Durini's cousin, Luigo Lambertenghi, inherited the villa and later sold it to a friend: Giuseppe Visconti. The latter made the already beautiful place even more beautiful with terraces and invited guests here to his summer residence.
Then things got a bit messy. The neglected villa stood empty for nearly 40 years until American General Butler Ames bought it in 1919. The general refurbished things considerably and his heirs sold the villa and the accompanying garden back to an Italian.
The new owner was the Milanese businessman Guido Monzino (1928-1988), who was also an art collector and explorer. Once again the villa was renovated and partly turned into a private museum with the souvenirs that Monzino had collected during his explorations.
After Monzino died in 1988, he bequeathed the Villa on the Làvedo Peninsula to the Fund for the Italian Environment (FAI), along with a trust fund to provide for its maintenance.
Today, the Villa is still maintained and operated by the FAI (an organization that manages monuments in Italy).
The Villa
The interior of Villa del Balbianello – partly visible from the garden – consists of French and English furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries, tapestries and Italian lamps and candlesticks.
In some rooms, Monzino collectibles are displayed in display cases, including figures from lost African civilizations and from China's Tang and Ming dynasties. In the attic space is a private museum with photographs and objects that Monzino used during expeditions.
The Loggia
Located at the highest point of the Làvedo peninsula, the Loggia offers beautiful lake views on both sides. On one side of the Loggia is a library, on the other side the music room (now the map room).
The library contains 4.000 books, mostly on geography and travel, a collection Monzino built up over the course of his years as an explorer.
The library is known as one of the most valuable collections on mountaineering and polar expeditions. Maps of areas around the world are now kept in the former music room.
The garden
The luxurious garden of Villa del Balbianello is vertically designed. Paths wind between giant plane trees, laurel and boxwood bushes, wisteria and ivy vines.
Around the Loggia are numerous statues and stone vases with flowers, which together with Lake Como in the background make for beautiful pictures. It is not surprising that many well-to-do couples want to get married here.
During our visit to the garden of the villa, a group of American wedding guests moored by boat at the harbor of the villa.
Walk the various paths that lead up and down and past the crypt where Guido Monzino is buried, and marvel at the beauty and serenity of the area.
Attention Instagramers: here you can perhaps take the most beautiful pictures of the world!
A continuous film about the life of Guido Monzino is shown in the orangery (Logga Segrè). The orangery can also be visited without a ticket for the Villa.
Famous Movie Scenes at Villa del Balbianello
If the above was not enough reason for a visit, it is the fact that several film shots were made in the combination of English, French and Italian landscape styles around the Villa and the Loggia. Among other things for A Month by the Lake, Casino Royaleand Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones was filmed here.
How do you get there?
There are 2 ways to get to Villa del Balbianello.
- By boat from Lenno. You will then moor at the harbor of the Villa.
- Through the nature park at the back of the peninsula. This is a short walk of about 1 km or a longer hike of about 2,5 km.
It is not possible to get to Villa del Balbianello by car. You can park the car in front of the nature park you walk through before you get there.
In both cases it is quite a climb before you reach the entrance of the Villa and the Gardens.
Villa del Balbianello entrance fees
You can choose a ticket for only the Garden or the Villa and the Garden. If you are going with children, we recommend that you only buy tickets for the garden. There is plenty to see in the garden and you can also enjoy the beauty of the Villa and the Loggia on the outside.
Garden only
Walk around the garden yourself, a visit of about 45 minutes is sufficient.
- Adults: €11
- Children (6-18): €6
- National Trust members and students (<25): €9
- Free for FAI members and residents of Tremezzina
Garden + Villa
It is only possible to visit the Villa with a guided tour that lasts approximately 45 minutes.
- Adults: €22
- Children (6-18): €12
- National Trust members and students (<25): €16
- FAI members and residents of Tremezzina: €4
If you want to visit the Villa, it is advisable to book in advance book a time slot via the website. If you only want to visit the Garden, a reservation is not necessary. Villa del Balbianello is closed on Mondays and Wednesdays.
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