History, Nature and Enchanting Villas on Lake Como
The entire Lake Como area is rich in history, nature, and breathtaking villas, but if your vacation on the Larian territory is limited to the Como Branch, which stretches from one shore to Argegno and from the other to Nesso, here are some must-see destinations.
Villa Olmo
Overlooking the lake in the city of Como, Villa Olmo is one of Como’s most celebrated and lavish historic residences. Its beauty and elegance have often made it a destination for famous people, including Napoleon, Ugo Foscolo, and Garibaldi. It was built in the neoclassical style in the late 1700s by Marquis Innocenzo Odescalchi and was named after a big elm tree that was more than 100 years old but no longer exists. In the park, we find a neoclassical temple, a small stream, and a fountain, while the interior is transformed into a myriad of ornaments: stucco, gilding, statues, and frescoes. Noteworthy is the Duke’s Hall on the second floor, featuring decorations dating back to the late 19th century. Today, the villa is a venue for conferences, performances, and art exhibitions.
Cernobbio, Villa D'este and Villa Erba
Cernobbio, a town a few kilometers from Como, is a renowned international tourist resort known for its historic center full of shops, bars, restaurants, and accommodations and for its lakefront with its historic square and pier, from which boats also depart for all destinations on the lake. A symbol in the world of Cernobbio and Lake Como is definitely Villa D’Este. Built in 1589 as a private residence, today it is a luxurious hotel that hosts some of the most elegant events and weddings on the lake. Another cornerstone for Cernobbio is Villa Erba, also a former private residence dating back to 1894 and now an important conference center and location for national and international events and fairs.
Villa Oleandra
Villa Oleandra is a beautiful historic mansion dating back to the 18th century, located in the village of Laglio. The villa made headlines in 2002 when beloved American actor George Clooney, long in search of a residence on Lake Como, purchased it from the family of entrepreneur Henry John Heinz, the ketchup magnate. Since then, fans and tourists from all over the world have been passing through Laglio, both through the village streets and via the lake, to try to catch a glimpse of the actor, who is used to spending his summers in his beloved Lake Como, often with equally famous friends, including Barack Obama.
Argegno and the Pigra funicular railway
Argegno is a town located on the western shore of Lake Como and is an important tourist center due to its central location and cultural richness. The center, identified by Piazza Roma overlooking the lake, is located a few meters from the boat dock and is always frequented by citizens and tourists who stop in the surrounding bars and restaurants. One of the most striking attractions of Argegno is the cable car to Pigra, which gives the possibility in just 4 minutes to reach one of the most beautiful terraces on the alps, overcoming a drop of 650 meters and winning the record for the steepest cable car in Italy.
