Villa del Balbiano

Villa del Balbiano is a Renaissance building on Lake Como featuring formal gardens, decorative fountains, and geometrically arranged hedged beds near the mouth of the Perlana river. The structure combines several wings and displays typical architecture of grand estates from that era with carefully designed outdoor spaces.

The estate originated in the 10th century and was shaped by several important owners, including the Giovio family and later Tolomeo Gallio, who made substantial architectural changes from 1596 onward. In the 18th century it came under the ownership of Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini, bringing the site renewed prominence.

The name recalls the Balbiano family who shaped the property. Today visitors can walk through elegant rooms and see how such estates on Lake Como served as gathering places for wealthy families.

Visitors should book ahead to see the interior and expect guided tours that provide an overview of the historic rooms. The grounds are open year-round, but the warmer months offer the best experience, as the gardens are fully enjoyable during this time.

In the early 2010s the villa underwent careful restoration by French architects and landscape designers who painstakingly recovered historical decorations and planting schemes. This work brought many original details back to light that had been hidden beneath centuries of change.