House of Gucci, Lake Como
House of Gucci
Bedrooms: 6 Bathrooms: 6 Sleeps: 12 (+16 in left wing and villino)
Rates: Rates upon request
Situated on the western shore of Lake Como, Villa Balbiano is an awe-inspiring Italian jewel, an exceptional historical palazzo that once belonged to the famous Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio, who built it at the end of 16th century and used it as his main residence. A century later, it was enlarged and embellished by Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini who used the Villa to host a gallant and frivolous society where festivals, banquets and dances followed one another relentlessly. Since then each successive owner only added to the splendor of the villa. Nowadays, Villa Balbiano is the largest private residence on the lake, occupying over 2ha, with extensive sumptuous garden, which was distinguished by the British Society of Garden Designers, outdoor swimming pool, a private pier and a boathouse. Inside, its historic interiors have been filled with finest objets d’art and furniture of past centuries, sourced from Sotheby’s and Christie’s. Spectacular 17th century frescoes painted by the Recchi brothers and Agostino Silva still decorate the walls, untouched by time. With its illustrious past, an unparalleled mix of man-made and natural beauty, Villa Balbiano is one of the most glamorous locations on Lake Como. Most recently, the villa was featured in the film House of Gucci.
Overview
Villa Giovio Balbiano was built by Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio at the end of the 16th century, after the drawings of Pellegrino Tibaldi, and was enlarged and embellished by Cardinal Durini in the 18th century. In 1637, Marco Gallio, changed the layout of the grounds in order to obtain enough space to create the Italian garden. In 1787, the property was sold to Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini, papal nuncio, a lover of arts and letters, patron and collector. He made the Villa an authentic place of delight by enlarging the house and garden, erecting statues and fountains, and opening new avenues between hedges and pergolas.
The facade, with simple and sober lines, punctuated by gray stone ornamental carvings, is directly reflected in the water of Lake Como. All around stand statues and fountains. From the Strada Regina, a nymph flowered of blue iris leads to the path to the main house, lined with box hedges, where plane trees and cypresses grow.
In the late 18th century Balbiano hosted a gallant and frivolous society where festivals, banquets and dances followed one another relentlessly. The lounges housed recitation meetings, concerts or literary discussions. Inside, the spectacular baroque frescoes by the Recchi brothers in the early 17th century can still be seen. In the lobby, Cardinal Durini installed its rich library, known to all scholars of the time. Nearby, where the river empties into Perlana’s lake, the pipe works commissioned by Durini to stem the flow of water can still be admired.
Villa Balbiano is a lake shore property on 3 acres of land. It has two swimming pools (one inside and one outside). The 3 floors recently renovated by the interior design Jacques Garcia. The villa boasts original frescoes, all the rooms are beautifully furnished with antiques.
The property can host up to 28 people:
6 luxury suites in the main palace - 12 guests
4 additional bedrooms in the left wing - 8 guests
4 bedrooms in the adjacent Villino - 8 guests
Details
GROUND FLOOR
The palatial interior contains 6460 sq. ft, over three floors recently fully renovated by the French decorator Jacques Garcia. The main entrance leads to the magnificent lobby decorated with original frescoes, surrounded by a dining room, a library, a winter garden and three salons. All these rooms have marble floors and original frescoes on the walls and ceilings. Adjacent are the services rooms: the kitchen and a covered terrace with working fireplace for outdoor dining.
SUITES
Suite 1: Double bedroom, en suite marble bathroom with shower and bathtub, TV
Suite 2: Double bedroom, en suite marble bathroom with shower, Safe, TV
Suite 3: Double bedroom, en suite marble bathroom with shower and bathtub, TV
Suite 4: Double bedroom, en suite marble bathroom with shower and bathtub, TV
Suite 5: Double bedroom, en suite marble bathroom with shower, Lounge area, TV
Suite 6: Master double bedroom, en suite bathroom with shower and bathtub, Terrace
SECOND FLOOR
A further marble staircase leads to the second-floor accommodations, comprising four luxurious bedrooms ensuite with their marble bathrooms, overlooking the Cathedral ceiling Central Salon. All the rooms are beautifully furnished with antiques. A boat can be rented and parked in the private dockyard to enjoy the charms of the lake.
FIRST FLOOR
On the first floor, the lake view gallery leads to the studio, the master suite and the guest suite surrounds the Cathedral ceiling Central Salon.
MAIN PALACE
Completely renovated this part of the property sleeps up to 8 people in 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms:
Bedroom 1: Double bedroom, shared access to bathroom (shower) with bedroom 2, TV
Bedroom 2: Double bedroom, shared access to bathroom (shower) with bedroom 1, TV
Bedroom 3: Double bedroom, shared access to bathroom (shower) with bedroom 4, TV
Bedroom 4: Double bedroom, shared access to bathroom (shower) with bedroom 3, TV
VILLINO
This lovely independent house is located in the back part of the garden. It sleeps up to 8 people, in 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms:
Bedroom 1: Double bedroom, en suite bathroom with shower and bathtub
Bedroom 2: Double bedroom, en suite bathroom with shower and bathtub
Bedroom 3: Double bedroom, en suite bathroom with shower
Bedroom 4: Double bedroom, en suite bathroom with shower
Please note that this house is simpler than the other accommodations.
Rates & Availability
Please contact us for rates and availability.
Distances
Shops, restaurants in walking distance
Lake shore some metres
Public landing stage 350 m
Ferry 5 km
Bellagio 10 km
Menaggio 10 km
Cernobbio 20 km
Como 20 km
Malpensa Airport 35 km
Lugano 38 km
Leccio 52 km
Milan 74 km
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