Villa del Balbianello description and photos - Italy: Lake Como (Topic)

Villa del Balbianello description and photos - Italy: Lake Como. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Villa del Balbianello.

Photo & Description

Villa del Balbianello, famous for its carefully planned hanging gardens, is located at the very tip of a small, forested peninsula on the western shore of Lake Como near Comacina Island and Lenno.

The villa was built in 1787 on the site of a Franciscan monastery for Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini. Two towers have survived to this day, which were the bell towers of the monastery church. After the death of the cardinal in 1796, the villa was bought by Giuseppe Arconati Visconti, who partially remodeled the garden and the covered gallery. In the 19th century, the villa belonged to the Porro-Lambertenghi family, but fell into disrepair by the early 20th century. It was then that the American military and businessman Butler Ames bought it, who initiated restoration work on the villa and in the garden. And in 1974, Villa del Balbianello was acquired by explorer Guido Monzino, leader of the first Italian expedition to Everest, who filled it with various artifacts collected by him on numerous travels. Monzino, who died in 1988, bequeathed the villa to the National Society for the Protection of Monuments of Italy. Today it is also part of the Great Gardens of Italy.

The picturesque landscapes surrounding Villa del Balbianello often attract filmmakers here. So, in 1995, scenes were filmed here for the film "A Month by the Lake" with Uma Thurman in the title role, in 2002 - for "Star Wars: Episode II." Attack of the Clones ”, and in 2006 - for the Bond series“ Casino Royale ”.

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Topic: Villa del Balbianello description and photos - Italy: Lake Como.