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

Marilyn (4 months ago)
We stopped at Villa Carlotta & were able to find parking along the street that involved a lovely walk along the lake to get to the Villa’s entrance. We bought tickets with no wait & took a lift to the upper level as I cannot do a lot of steps. The walk through the gardens is many shady with only a few views of the lake. There were not a lot flowers & this was June. There are benches throughout enabling a rest. The Villa museum itself was interesting due to items displayed in the rooms but not impressive architecture when compared to Isola Bella we toured the day before. There was no extra charge to go into the Villa museum. It was a pleasant way to spend a pretty morning. We ate a lovely lunch on the terrace overlooking the lake at the nearby Grand Hotel Tremezzo.
Y. T. Nixon Tan (4 months ago)
The true highlight for me was the botanical gardens and the terraced layout offering breathtaking views of the lake. While the villa itself is a fine example of 17th-century architecture, it was the gardens that truly captured my heart. The gardens are designed in a terraced format, providing stunning panoramic views of Lake Como and the surrounding mountains. These vistas are nothing short of spectacular, offering ample opportunities for photography and peaceful contemplation. The entrance fee includes both the villa and the gardens but I personally think the gardens alone are worth the price.
Patsy Riley (4 months ago)
What a beautiful place this is. The gardens are glorious but obviously seasonal. The history and the art in the villa are well worth the visit alone but with good weather recommend the garden. My tip is make sure you go down to the bottom floor of the villa to see staff area
Giada Berrino (5 months ago)
More than the villa itself, I enjoyed the gardens. I loved the Japanese area of the gardens. I had a guided tour and it is 100% recommended! The villa is cute but not special. I loved the view from the various windows! I bought tickets in advance but the line wasn’t that long at the entrance.
Svetlana S (5 months ago)
We were at this villa at the end of May. On a weekday there were not many people. Therefore it was very comfortable. In spring, the villa is all green and has a lot of beautiful and unique plants and flowers. Inside the villa there are antique furniture, cutlery, statues and paintings. Stepping out onto the balcony offers a wonderful view of the lake and mountains. The building is very beautiful. Unfortunately, when we were there, the hydrangeas did not have time to bloom. There's a whole slope there that's sown with them ?. I would definitely come back ???
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