Bagni di Lucca and Beyond

Villa Carlotta from the lake

We took advantage of a glorious sunny day and caught the ferry from Bellagio to Cardenabbia on the other side of the Lake Como and walked along the waterfront to Villa Carlotta.  The villa sits  between Cardenabbia and Tremezzo, so it would be possible to arrive at the Villa from either town.

looking at the entrance from the balcony

Villa Carlotta is one of the most majestic villas in Italy,  built towards the end of the 17th century on the orders of Marquis  Clerici.  It is positioned on a gentle slope on the edge of the lake.  After later generations squandered his fortune the villa was sold to Gian Battista Sommaria in 1801.  The rooms were sumptuously decorated and filled with exquisite works of art.  It has had various owner since then who added their own touches and extended the gardens.

view from the terrace

Eventually a Villa Carlotta charitable foundation was set up in 1927, and has worked to preserve and promote the building ever since.

galleria of oranges

pink camellia

a perfect white camellia

I think it is an exotic tulip

In early spring the garden was beginning to look spectacular.  I would love to be there in mid to late April to see the wisteria and later on to see the roses bloom.  The gardens are filled with azaleas, rhododrens,  camellias and oranges.

If you come to Lake Como be sure to visit Villa Carlotta.

the view from the balcony

It is not allowed to take photos of the interior, otherwise I could have shown you some of the amazing rooms filled with incredible art.