Visit to Villa Balbianello

Now owned and preserved by an Italian Foundation for the Arts, the previous owner who bequeathed it to the foundation was Guido Monzino. He was a department store owner who sold the business he inherited from his father, and invested it into expeditions all over the world--including the North Pole, Mt. Everest, and Patagonia. He also made improvements to this villa, and added on rooms, and even secret passageways, to house his collectibles from all over the world. It is a beautiful villa and gardens in the middle of Lake Como.

The Loggio Durini--map room on the left, study on the right.

View from center of Loggio, looking north at Lake Como (matching view to south is just as incredible).

Group shot.

garden and patio at the base of the villa where visitors arrive. (James Bond recuperated here near the end of the movie, Casino Royale and I think Princess Lea appeared here in a scene from Star Wars(.

The chapel first used by the Cardinal who came here in the 1800's to write, and the villa that was subsequently built up and around it.