One of the most famous and most beautiful lakes in the world is Lake Como in Italy. Not only the locals think so, but also the majority of those who have been here. Surrounded by high mountains, a bit like a fjord, strewn with many small cozy towns along the coasts, the lake attracts not only thousands of tourists, but also the richest people on the planet who buy luxurious villas here. Como has a certain magic of attraction - once having been here, you want to return.
Each villa has its own history.
One of the most famous is Villa Balbianello, located on Cape Lavedo near the small town of Lenno. The villa was built by Cardinal Angelo Durini in 1787 on the ruins of an ancient Franciscan monastery.
The educated cardinal wanted a quiet place where he could relax, study modern literary works and art objects and discuss them among friends and like-minded people. "Fay ce que voudras" (do what you like) - the motto of the villa, engraved on the paving stones of the gallery, greets guests to this day.
After the death of the cardinal, the villa changed owners several times, until in 1975 the complex, surrounded by beautiful gardens, was acquired by the Italian entrepreneur, climber and passionate traveler Guido Moncino. Monzino turned the estate into a museum that keeps memories of his many travels: rich collections of African and Indian art, English and French furniture of the 18th-19th centuries, Flemish tapestries, Chinese ceramics, documents and souvenirs brought from different parts of the world. The villa's library contains more than 4.000 rare books collected by Guido Moncino.
They constitute one of the most valuable collections dedicated to mountaineering and polar expeditions.
Guido Monzino was unmarried, had no children, lived in a villa with his mother. Therefore, before his death, in 1988, he ordered that Villa Balbianello be left as a legacy to the Italian Environment Fund (FAI).
The villa is surrounded by a small but very beautiful park: the strict geometric outlines of the Italian park and the monumentality of the French one attract not only tourists, but also famous directors. Some episodes for the Star Wars films were filmed here. Episode 2" and "Casino Royale".
You can get to the villa in two ways - either by boat on the lake, which will take you to the carved “sea” gates of the villa, or walk through the forest that separates the villa from the city. The pedestrian path is open on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10.00.
Each villa has its own history.
One of the most famous is Villa Balbianello, located on Cape Lavedo near the small town of Lenno. The villa was built by Cardinal Angelo Durini in 1787 on the ruins of an ancient Franciscan monastery.
The educated cardinal wanted a quiet place where he could relax, study modern literary works and art objects and discuss them among friends and like-minded people. "Fay ce que voudras" (do what you like) - the motto of the villa, engraved on the paving stones of the gallery, greets guests to this day.
After the death of the cardinal, the villa changed owners several times, until in 1975 the complex, surrounded by beautiful gardens, was acquired by the Italian entrepreneur, climber and passionate traveler Guido Moncino. Monzino turned the estate into a museum that keeps memories of his many travels: rich collections of African and Indian art, English and French furniture of the 18th-19th centuries, Flemish tapestries, Chinese ceramics, documents and souvenirs brought from different parts of the world. The villa's library contains more than 4.000 rare books collected by Guido Moncino.
They constitute one of the most valuable collections dedicated to mountaineering and polar expeditions.
Guido Monzino was unmarried, had no children, lived in a villa with his mother. Therefore, before his death, in 1988, he ordered that Villa Balbianello be left as a legacy to the Italian Environment Fund (FAI).
The villa is surrounded by a small but very beautiful park: the strict geometric outlines of the Italian park and the monumentality of the French one attract not only tourists, but also famous directors. Some episodes for the Star Wars films were filmed here. Episode 2" and "Casino Royale".
You can get to the villa in two ways - either by boat on the lake, which will take you to the carved “sea” gates of the villa, or walk through the forest that separates the villa from the city. The pedestrian path is open on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10.00.
Translated automatically from Russian. View original
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