Villa del Balbianello

Villa del Balbianello is located on top of a woody hill called Dosso di Lavedo. The latter stretches out into the water detaching from the western river of Lake Como, roughly in front of Bellagio.

The peninsula, also thanks to its geological conformation (which won it the appellation of Gibraltar of Lario), has fully kept its natural values, accentuating the romantic character of the local buildings and the lovely garden located sheer on the lake, just opposite the severe mountains of the Northern Lombardia. The extraordinary uniqueness of this panorama has always been acknowledged since the Roman age, when a number of painters use to come here, spend holidays and be inspired by the local nature and beauty. From Villa del Balbianello you can easily visit the very end of Dosso d’Avedo, reachable by boat and ideal for a “one day trip” enjoying the fresh air and natural environment.

Cardinal Durini was the founder of the villa: this was like a dream coming true for him, aiming to have a special and unique place where to read, study, think and share all this with friends away from the big city and its noise. An elegant home in the nature and peace of a magic lake, a place also famous for its “welcome note” on the floor, stating “Fay ce qui voudras” (Do what you like). This was the very first impression and feeling for the visitors and guests of the villa, who use to enter the building through a little stair from the water, which is yet the main entrance of the Villa.

The real architectonic invention of the Villa del Balbianello is the loggia; it is in fact located in parallel to the peninsula and allows the guests to admire in the mean time both the views from the hill; on one side is Tremezzina, the real heart of Lario and on the other side you can enjoy a marvellous sight of the Comancina Isle. There are just two rooms aside the Loggia: one for the library and the other for the music.

Looking northwards from the Loggia, Tremezzina is what the visitor can watch, this is the unique mirror of water between Tremezzo and Bellagio, the central area of Lake Como. Historically here all the noble families use to come from Milano and spend holidays, contributing to build the fame of this place as an elegant, posh and cultural place of interest throughout the entire 19th and 20th century.
Either from the landing stage and from the small port you can reach the churchyard and from here, following the capricious paths studied to fully offer the greatest number of sights possible, you will reach the entrance of the villa and the loggia.

Big plane trees, every year pruned as chandeliers, follow the walking guest along the path surrounded by ancient statues and old wisterias, as well as side walls covered with ground ivy.