Villa Carlotta

Tremezzo, Italy

The beautiful Villa Carlotta was built at the end of 17th century by the Milanese marquis Giorgio Clerici in a natural basin between lake and mountains, facing the dolomite Grignas and the peninsula of Bellagio. The architect created for the Clericis an important but sober building, with an Italian garden decorated with sculptures, stairs and fountains. 

In 1801 Gian Battista Sommariva, famous politician, businessman and patron of arts, bought the villa. Thanks to this owner the property in Tremezzo attained the summit of its splendour and became one of the most important halting-place of the Grand Tour. The villa became a temple of 19th century art with works of Canova, Thorvaldsen and Hayez: Palamedes, Eros and Psyche, Terpsychore, The last kiss of Romeo and Juliet are only some of the masterpieces that enriches the extraordinary collection.

Under Sommariva part of the park was transformed in a fascinating romantic garden. Sommariva's heirs sold the villa in 1843 to Princess Marianne of Nassau, Albert's of Prussia wife, who gave it as a present to her daughter Carlotta in occasion of her wedding with Georg II of Saxen-Meiningen. Hence the name Villa Carlotta. Very fond in botanic, Georg enriched the park, today of great historical and environmental value. The gardens of Villa Carlotta chiefly owe their reputation to the rhododendrons' and azaleas' spring flowering, consisting of over 150 different sorts. 

But the gardens are worth to visit in every period of the year: old varieties of camellias, century old cedars and sequoias, huge planes and tropical plants, the Rock garden and the Ferns valley, the Rhododendrons wood and the Bamboos garden, the agricultural tools museum and the wonderful views on the lake built in the ages the celebrity of this place, still today consider 'a place of heaven'.

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Details

Founded: 1695
Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Italy

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Carmelle Valles (2 years ago)
We loved this place! The garden was amazing with different species from all over the world. So cool that they are able to thrive in Italy due to the microclimates around Lake Como. The villa had beautiful views of the lake and offered many opportunities for great photos. The café inside had a decent selection of food and drinks, although slightly overpriced.
Jan Langford (2 years ago)
Brilliant place to visit. They have two routes around the lovely gardens, one not so steep, and one fairly steep. But it was worth it for the views of Lake Como. They have a reasonable cafe, inside and out, with again lovely views. The villa(the museum) was ok
Brendan Rowe (2 years ago)
Beautiful house surrounded by gardens that seem to go on forever. Lovely, well laid out walks, that go from manicured to wild, but always jaw dropping in their beauty. Would love to visit again.
Antoine B (2 years ago)
If one place to visit in coma lake, this is the one. Beautiful garden tour (30 min or 1h15 tour walking) and nice villa visit. The price is correct (12€).
William (2 years ago)
Absolutely beautiful botanical garden. The museum was very interesting as well. I could spend hours walking around all the plants. They have plants from everywhere in the world.
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