Grand Hotel Menaggio is ideal for visiting Villa del Balbianello because it is located just a 15-minute drive from one of the most beautiful historic buildings in the entire region. The villa can be reached by driving along Via Regina.
The property is located in Lenno, on the tip of the Lavedo peninsula and directly overlooking the lake. Its name is a pet name, derived from Balbiano, the name of a villa in Campo.
It is one of the most scenic villas on the Lario, overlooking a wide panorama. It was built in 1787 on the remains of a Franciscan monastery and subsequently renovated several times with work leading to the construction of the 18th-century loggia, the two pavilions and the connection between the various components of the complex.
After several changes of ownership, the villa finally passed to the Fondo Ambiente Italiano in 1988, in the aftermath of the death of Guido Monzino, the last purchaser.
The FAI has preserved the spirit of the villa through careful management and constant work. Today we can admire it in all its beauty by visiting the different locations:
- Garden: well-kept and rich in plants and flowers, it conquers with the daring pruning carried out with mountaineering ropes and use of slings;
- Museum of Expeditions: inside the villa we visit a museum wanted by Guido Monzino where we find numerous memorabilia used by Monzino himself during his mountaineering exploits;
- Collections: among the collections of rare objects here are those dedicated to primitive art, maps, 19th-century prints with views of Lario, books, carpets and rare 18th-century glass paintings;
- Loggia Durini: a monumental arched structure with a wonderful Ficus Repens and decorated with an inlaid wind rose in the floor. Villa del Balbianello is open every day except Mondays and non-holiday Wednesdays.
The proximity to Villa del Balbianello makes Grand Hotel Menaggio the ideal starting point for those who want to discover one of Lake Como's most beautiful historic buildings during their vacation. A vacation characterized by the relaxation and comfort of the 4-star hotel, with rooms and suites overlooking the lake, swimming pool, restaurant, bar.
Choose a hotel for visiting Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como.
Book at Grand Hotel Menaggio.
