Located in Lenno, Villa del Balbianello is one of the most iconic villas to visit on Lake Como.
Its beautiful gardens, breathtaking lake views, fascinating history and extraordinary interiors make it one of my favourite villas on the lake! I absolutely love this place and always look forward to coming back.
You might also recognise it from the big screen: scenes from Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and the James Bond film Casino Royale were filmed here.
The villa’s last private owner was Count Guido Monzino, a wealthy businessman, collector and explorer who organised and led the first successful Italian expedition to Mount Everest in 1973. He purchased the villa in 1974, restored its buildings and gardens, and filled it with precious works of art. In the attic, he created a unique museum dedicated to his polar and mountaineering expeditions. When he died in 1988, he left the estate to FAI (Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano), the heritage conservation foundation that continues to care for it today.
The interiors have a wonderfully eclectic character, bringing together classic European elegance and the spirit of adventure. During the 1970s, Monzino transformed them according to his own remarkable vision.
The rooms are furnished with fine French and English antiques from the 18th and 19th centuries, including pieces in the Louis XV and Louis XVI styles. French boiseries — decorative wooden wall panelling — and precious tapestries from Beauvais add to the richness of the interiors.
Some rooms, especially the study and the smoking room, remind me of a luxurious cabin aboard an ocean liner.
The Sala dei Primitivi reveals another side of Monzino’s passion for collecting, with fascinating works of art from beyond Europe. His collections include African and pre-Columbian art, as well as fine Chinese porcelain. Together, they create a striking contrast with the classic European furnishings.
I’m deliberately leaving out photos of the interiors — I hope this encourages you to visit and discover them for yourself!😊
Natalia
Homelya
1 comment
Beautiful😍