Visiting Lake Como cannot be complete with a visit to Villa Carlotta. A perfect combination of art and nature, and home to many cultural events in the area, the Villa offers something for everyone.
Here is a short and intriguing history of Villa Carlotta.
For a more in-depth history of the Villa click here.
Transforming architecture
Built at the end of the 17th Century, Villa Carlotta’s architect created a sober building surrounded by a beautiful Italian garden of sculptures and fountains. It wasn’t until its new owner, Gian Battista Sommariva, moved in that the building was transformed into its current day splendour.
Villa Carlotta is a beautiful example of how architecture can blend with nature.
An Artist’s Paradise
Villa Carlotta quickly became a temple of art exhibiting works of Canova, Thorvaldsen and Hayez. The gardens were also transformed into a fascinating romantic display of nature.
Royal inspiration
In 1843, the Princess Marianne of Nassau, gifted Villa Carlotta to her daughter on her wedding day. Her husband was very fond of botanicas and continued to enrich the park as we now find it now!
Today, Villa Carlotta’s garden consist of over 150 different types of rhododendrons and azaleas. Home to century old cedars, huge tropical plants, and of course stunning views of Lake Como.
How to get there
The best way to get to Tremezzina and see Villa Carlotta in all its beauty is by boat. Only a 15min trip from Bellagio and easily accessible from most locations around the lake.
There are three options:
- take the ferry boat to Cadenabbia and then walk 5 minutes
- take the ferry boat to Tremezzo
- take the ferry boat to Villa Carlotta (it stops right on the pier in front of the Villa)
