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Villa del Balbianello Park

Villa Fogazzaro Roi: Guided Tour

Villa del Balbianello & Velarca: Guided Visit + Lake Como Boat Tour

La Velarca: Entry Ticket

Porlezza

Originally commissioned in the late eighteenth century by Cardinal Durini, a prominent writer and patron, the Villa del Balbianello Park was intended to be a haven of literary leisure and delight. 

Fast forward to modern times, and the property was acquired by Guido Monzino, an entrepreneur, collector, and passionate adventurer. 

In 1974, Monzino transformed the villa into a personal retreat where he could meticulously preserve the memories of his exciting life, including his historic achievement of becoming the first Italian to summit Mount Everest.

Wouldn't it be nice to be born into the Italian bourgeoisie in the 1800s? To sit around and write novels and stare wistfully over the beautiful shores of Lake Lugano? What a life! Get a taste of Antonio Fogazzaro's daily grind with a guided visit around the beloved writer's summer home, Villa Fogazzaro Roi.

This time capsule of 19th-century elegance preserves Fogazzaro's life, and is akin to wandering around inside his masterpiece, _The Little World of the Past_ – which is rather fitting!

Join a Lake Como tour and visit Villa del Balbianello and the historic boat La Velarca, which will be open to the public for the first time in September 2024. Your tour includes detailed commentary by a bilingual tour guide fluent in English and Italian. 

Start with a guided tour of Villa del Balbianello, then take a taxi boat to La Velarca for another guided tour. Return by boat to Villa del Balbianello and enjoy free time exploring the garden and taking photos.

Visit La Velarca, designed and built between 1959 and 1961 by the BBPR studio. Commissioned by Emilio and Fiammetta Norsa, this floating home is a notable work of architecture and design. Its form and layout reflect the BBPR studio's signature style, focusing on environmental integration, local context, and meticulous detailing.

La Velarca combines modern aesthetics with historical elements. The structure was added to the hull of a historic 19-meter gondola called "Corriera Tremezzina," which has been crossing Lake Como since 1911, carrying goods and passengers. Explore how this unique home connects past and present on the scenic lake.

Things to do inPorlezza

Best of Porlezza

Villa del Balbianello Park

Villa Fogazzaro Roi: Guided Tour

Villa del Balbianello & Velarca: Guided Visit + Lake Como Boat Tour

La Velarca: Entry Ticket

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