Description:
Villa Carlotta, a place of rare beauty, was built at the end of the eighteenth century by the Marquis Giorgio Clerici.
In 1801 the villa was purchased by the famous politician and entrepreneur Gian Battista Sommariva.
His desire was to transform the majority of the garden into an extraordinary Romanesque park and to adorn the villa with works by Canova, Thorvaldsen and Hayez: Palamedes, Cupid and Psyche, Terpsychore and The Last Kiss of Romeo and Juliet are only some of the masterpieces that continue to make the villa one of the greatest temples of nineteenth-century art. In 1843 the villa was sold once again, this time to the Princess Marianna of Nassau, the wife of Prince Albert of Prussia, who handed it down to their daughter Carlotta to celebrate her marriage to the Grand Duke of Saxe-Meiningen. A short time after the wedding Carlotta died tragically at the young age of 23, but the villa remained the property of the Saxe-Meiningen family until the outbreak of World War I. During this period the gardens were expanded with approximately 500 varieties of plants, including 150 types of rhododendrons and azaleas.
In April and May Villa Carlotta offers an authentic sea of multicoloured azaleas along the garden paths. The effect is unique, due to the compact size and thickness of the plants. One garden worthy of note is the Bamboo Garden, approximately 3,000 m2 in size with 25 different species arranged according to the principles and techniques of Japanese gardens. The setting features water in the form of waterfalls and Brooks, interspersed with rocks.
Old tools once used in Villa Carlotta are on display in the restored greenhouse.
Various works preserved inside the villa most worthy of mention include sculptures by Antonio Canova and the artist’s school, in addition to paintings by Francesco Hayez.
Villa Carlotta, with its robust structure, was built in accordance with the sober Lombard tradition of the late seventeenth century, on a single central axis that, starting from the lake entrance gate, divides the property into two equal parts. Neither the building’s architect nor the year of construction are known. Hints of its origins are inferred in five designs published in 1743 by Marc'Antonio Dal Re in the second volume of his work “Ville di Delizia”. The spiral staircase and painted wooden ceilings are evidence of the original decoration.
The Villa Carlotta Association is responsible for the restoration and conservation of the villa and the gardens, and has enhanced the property’s artistic heritage.
The Orchards and Botanical Gardens of this luxurious villa make it a prestigious venue for hosting scientific education classes and study courses on sustainable development.
Villa Carlotta is located in Tremezzo, just a few steps from the ferry dock. Open to visitors from March to November, the villa is a not-to-be-missed destination for tourists spending their holiday on Lake Como.
Tremezzo is an extremely popular tourist destination, offering easy access to the cities of Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio. Located in the midst of Lake Como, the city on the lake is the ideal place for a charming experience. Not only does it offer splendid views of Lake Como, it also features a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains.
