VILLA BALBIANELLO

It was built by cardinal Angelo Maria Durini in 1787 on the site of a Franciscan monastery. At the death of the cardinal, in 1796, Giuseppe Arconati Visconti bought the villa and renovated the garden and the elegant “Loggia” with three arcades.
Terraces and balusters characterize the garden, whose structure adjusts perfectly to the peculiar sloping shape of the land.
After a period of neglect, the villa was bought, just after World War I, by the American general Butler Amos. He renovated the whole complex. After his death the property was bought by Count Guido Monzino, an explorer, who brought his collection of art pieces and reminders of his explorations to the villa.
In 1988 the count left the Villa to the FAI, the Italian National Trust.
The enchanting Villa Balbianello has been chosen as a film location by a few directors. Among others, the following films have been shooted in its gardens and terraces:
• Star Wars II – Episode II – Attack of the Clones.
• 007 - Casino Royale
ACCESS: Open every day, except Mondays and Wednesdays. Pedestrian access is allowed from Lenno (from the hotel, approx. 1 km) only on Sundays and public holidays. The villa can be reached by private motor boat service from the landing stage near the lido of Lenno.
Guided tours of the villa are available.

www.fondoambiente.it/beni/villa-del-balbianello.asp

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