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Chiaravalle
Morimondo
Certosa di Pavia
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Como
Lake Como Route
1. The Lake
2. Cernobbio
3. Villa Erba
4. San Vincenzo
5. Villa dʼEste
6. Moltrasio
7. Villa Passalacqua
8. SantʼAgata
9. Laglio
10. Isola Comacina
11. Ossuccio
12. Lenno
13. Santo Stefano
14. Battistero
15. Balbianello
16. Mezzegra
17. Tremezzo
18. Villa Carlotta
19. Menaggio
20. Santo Stefano
21. Bellagio
22. San Giacomo
23. Villa Serbelloni
24. Villa Melzi
25. Varenna
26. Villa Monastero
27. Vezio
28. Piona
Stresa
Crespi d'Adda
Gardaland
What's on out of town
Chiaravalle
Morimondo
Certosa di Pavia
Vigevano
Sabbioneta
Como
Lake Como Route1. The Lake
2. Cernobbio
3. Villa Erba
4. San Vincenzo
5. Villa dʼEste
6. Moltrasio
7. Villa Passalacqua
8. SantʼAgata
9. Laglio
10. Isola Comacina
11. Ossuccio
12. Lenno
13. Santo Stefano
14. Battistero
15. Balbianello
16. Mezzegra
17. Tremezzo
18. Villa Carlotta
19. Menaggio
20. Santo Stefano
21. Bellagio
22. San Giacomo
23. Villa Serbelloni
24. Villa Melzi
25. Varenna
26. Villa Monastero
27. Vezio
28. Piona
Stresa
Crespi d'Adda
Gardaland
What's on out of town
Villa Monastero is the destination No. 26in our visiting tour on Lake Como. A list of destinations is available, each with an audioguide. We travel northbound, from Como to Piona.
Varenna Via Balicco 63
tel. [+39] 0341 295450
mapThe most important historic building in Varenna, Villa Monastero, is a short walk from the central square.
The building of today's Villa Monastero was originally a monastery for women - hence the name of the villa - founded in 1208. In 1569 it was purchased by Paolo Mornico, a rich iron producer from Valsassina. The property remained in the family for some three hundred years. His son Elio was the first of many who made changes to the villa, when - between 1609 and 1645 - he made vast improvements to both house and garden.
The original plan of the monastery's church can still be identified in the central part of the building, which was extended with the addition of a loggia whose staircases slope down towards the lake.
After the villa changed hands in the second half of the 19th century it underwent a series of further renovations, and eventually acquired its current eclectic appearance: the restoration projects that created the internal staircase and the so-called Pompeian bathroom - using polychrome marble, ceramics and stuccowork - were among the more successful.
The surrounding garden abounds in exotic plants and has assorted architectural features in baroque, classical and moorish styles. Since the 1950s the villa has served as a venue for international scientific congresses.
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Da Vinci = No Problem
The Last Supper, otherwise difficult to book?
You can reserve a specialized visit through our partner Musement.
The Last Supper, otherwise difficult to book?
You can reserve a specialized visit through our partner Musement.
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