Villa Balbianello

Villa Balbianello is an 18th-century villa on a wooded promontory at Lenno on the western shore of Lake Como in Lombardy, Italy. The property is famous for its elegant terraced gardens, waterfront loggia and well-preserved period interiors.

The house and grounds are open to the public with guided tours that cover reception rooms, a small chapel and collections installed by later owners. The gardens descend to the lake and include ornate terraces and walking paths that afford wide views of the lake and opposite shore.

In the late 20th century the villa was acquired and restored by collector-explorer Guido Monzino, who bequeathed it to Italy’s FAI (National Trust) to preserve it and allow public access. The site lies on a small cape in Lenno, reachable by road and boat from other towns on Lake Como.

• Location and use: Villa Balbianello occupies a wooded promontory on Lake Como at Lenno and is notable for its terraced gardens and views; it has been used as a film location for major movies.

What to See #

• Villa interior: The villa's interior rooms, including reception halls and a chapel, preserved with period furnishings and exhibition displays.
• Gardens and loggia: Terraced Italianate gardens and a waterfront loggia that overlook Lake Como and the surrounding shoreline.