Description:
Villa “La Gallietta” is one of seven eighteenth-century villas built along the western shores of Lake Como, near the church of Saint George and Villa Olmo.
Built in the late 1700’s on via Borgo Vico in Como, it was modified in 1830 based on a design by Melchiorre Nosetti in an austere neoclassical style, to serve as an autumn-winter home positioned in a sunny area sheltered from the wind.
It should be mentioned that Count Giambattista, the writer from the Gallia family, created a selection of works in this very house which he loved for its seclusion, peace and silence.
Villa La Gallietta had a modern and technologically advanced structure that is perfectly paired with the neoclassical style of the building and furnishings. In addition to the villa it is also possible to rent the completely independent rustic cottage located on the same property.
Among the Villas of Lake Como this residence stands out for its uniqueness and history.
Originally built by the Milanese nobleman Pietro Antonio Fossani who purchased the seventeenth-century Villa Gallia with the surrounding land in 1772, it was named “Gallietta” after the larger building located further south.
The building’s current appearance dates back to the renovation of 1830, commissioned by the physician Dr.
Giuseppe Frank, professor at the University of Pavia, who purchased it in 1825 and hired the architect Melchiorre Nosetti who not only adapted to the facade to a basic Neoclassical style, but also refurbished the interiors. Upon his death, Giuseppe Frank named the University of Pavia as his sole heir, which a short time later sold the villa to the Marquis Brivio Sforza, in 1866.
Since 1985 Villa Gallietta has been protected by the “Belle Arti” fine arts commission both for its architectural value and for the fresco and the elliptical vault of the atrium.
The restoration, carried out by the current owners, completed in 2009, restored the villa to its original artistic splendour. It also allowed the owners to modernize the property with air conditioning, a lift and gym. The villa was also the subject of a novel written in 1856 by the French author Nathalie Comtesse.
The approximately 1,200m2 garden is surrounded by walls in stone and smaller ones to guarantee complete privacy.
This luxury villa directly overlooks the lake and is located merely 5 minutes from Como’s main square, just a few kilometres from Switzerland and about one hour from Milan by car.
