Mesmerized by the enchanting Villa del Balbianello, resembling a picturesque painting, in Italy

Villa del Balbianello is a villa located in the town of Lenno, in the northern province of Lombardy, Italy. The villa overlooks Lake Como with its emerald green waters year-round.

Enthralled by the picturesque Villa del Balbianello in Italy

Villa del Balbianello is a villa situated in the urban area of Lenno in the Como province, in northern Lombardy, Italy. It rests on the tip of the Dosso d’Avedo peninsula, surrounded by dense forests along Lake Como's shores, renowned for its meticulously maintained terraced gardens.

It is known that a Franciscan monastery existed on the Dosso d’Avedo peninsula since the 13th century. These two remaining towers are remnants of the monastery church's bell tower. After being purchased by Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini in 1785, he transformed the monastery's architecture into a villa, primarily used for summer vacations, with a small estate creating a lush, verdant land around the luxurious villa.

Upon Angelo Maria Durini's death in 1796, this villa was inherited by his grandson, Luigi Porro Lambertenghi. Throughout that period, Villa del Balbianello became a hub for political activities and was frequently used to host meetings.

After passing through numerous owners, enticed by its captivating beauty, this villa eventually came into the possession of Count Guido Monzino – the leader of the first Italian expedition to summit Everest. It was during this era that decorative items and furnishings underwent a transformation with the introduction of antique pieces from England or France.

It is precisely because of its rich history, with numerous ups and downs, and its blend of architectural styles from various cultures, that today, Villa del Balbianello stands as the most visited among the 52 properties owned by the Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano, welcoming over 135,000 visitors in 2019.

In 2016, a project worth 413 thousand Euros was initiated to restore and install a new diesel fuel system, lighting fixtures, and security cameras. Since then, visitors no longer need to worry about the cold weather of winter and can enjoy the experience of classic bathrooms equipped with modern amenities, including a bookstore preserving numerous works from centuries past.

Aside from opening its doors to visitors to explore architecture dating back to the 13th century, Villa del Balbianello is also a favored location among many directors. It has served as a filming location for renowned cinematic works such as: Star Wars, Casino Royale, A Month by the Lake, His Demise, and more.

According to Mytour

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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour