Lakeside luxury: Como’s lavish and historic residences

In this video, we pay our respects to four lavish residences, located on beautiful Lake Como.

Lake Como in northern Italy, has justifiably been described as one of the most beautiful and romantic places in the world, its shoreline dotted with antique villages and historic villas… some world-famous, others not so well-known, but all unquestionably stunning.

These opulent homes offer a vicarious opportunity to go back in time, to get a sense of the life of Europe’s noble families, as well as of the novelists, composers and artists who fell under the spell of this distinctive Italian paradise.

First we visit Villa Erba. Located in Cernobbio on the Lake’s southern end, Villa Erba was built in the 19th century by Luigi Erba. Designed in accordance with the standards of Italian Mannerism, the Villa’s ancient park offers a delightful botanical promenade amongst trees, shrubs, and elegant, multi-colour flower beds on the lakefront, as well as a wonderful view of Lake Como.

Next we consider Villa Del Balbianello, which overlooks Lake Como, atop a wooded peninsula in the village of Lenno. The Villa Del Balbianello was built at the end of the 18th century on the ruins of a Franciscan convent, and then in the Seventies was owned by Guido Monzino, an explorer and alpinist. Monzino’s collection of artefacts from far-off locations such as the North Pole and Mount Everest is on display at the Villa, along with African and pre-Columbian art.

Moving on, there’s stunning Villa La Cassinella, perched on a secluded peninsula on the western shore of Lake Como. Endowed with magnificent gardens and views Villa La Cassinella was built at the turn of the 19th century, and represents the pinnacle of luxury on Lake Como. It shares the Punto Di Lavedo with the Villa Balbianello, offering a unique panorama of Lake Como’s ‘Gold Coast’.

Finally, we turn to Villa Pliniana an impressive 16th-century Italian Palazzo, set on 18 waterfront acres, and built for Count Giovanni Anguissola. As one of the oldest and most beautiful of Como’s villas, Villa Pliniana stands alone, while behind it a majestic waterfall divides the mountains in two. The grounds boast a rhythmic water spring, while the Villa’s imposing façade features four orders of windows and an elegant porch. Meanwhile, its interior halls are furnished with elegant furniture, works of art and valuable artefacts.

View the original video here.