spinner-caricamento
Share
Villa Monastery

More planned

date_range undefined undefined

Eucharistic allegory

Until 16 February 2025

Villa Monastery

Villa Monastero is located in Varenna in the province of Lecco , it represents one of the most interesting examples of a late 19th century eclectic-style residence and is one of the main historical-landscape-environmental sites in the area. The Villa, owned by the Province of Lecco, overlooks Lake Como and is surrounded by a botanical garden of great scenic impact and symbolic value. It was born from the transformation of an ancient female monastery of Cistercian foundation dedicated to the Virgin Mary, built at the end of the 12th century by filiation of that of Acquafredda, in nearby Lenno. In the mid-sixteenth century it was purchased by the Mornico family, who held the property for more than three centuries and made it known on the Lario as "Villa Leliana". It later passed on to other owners, both Italian and foreign, in 1939 it was donated by the Milanese De Marchi family, so that it would become a public asset and home to a museum.


The complex presents itself as a magnificent compendium: the House Museum offers an exhibition itinerary in 14 fully furnished rooms that have maintained the original decorations and furniture, the Botanical Garden which extends, arranged in terraces, for almost 2 km along the lake front from Varenna in Fiumelatte, rich in particular and rare botanical species. The essences today exceed 900 specimens and this has made it possible to obtain the regional recognition of Botanical Garden. Thanks to the favorable microclimate of the central lake, botanical rarities from all over the world coexist here, which are increased year after year. The Convention Center , also known internationally for the lessons that the Nobel Prize Enrico Fermi held here in 1954, today offers institutions, universities and companies the opportunity to hold conferences, seminars, training courses and workshops in a suggestive and rich setting of history. The exhibition space , used to host temporary exhibitions of painting, sculpture, photography and objets d'art.


The context of the Villa is also ideal for educational activities that are divided into courses, in-depth workshops and playful activities dedicated to school groups and families. Today Villa Monastero is also one of the most sought-after locations for the celebration of weddings and as a photographic set for prestigious Italian and foreign fashion and tourism magazines.

Gallery

Works on display

Timetable and tickets

Address

Viale Giovanni Polvani, 4
23829 Varenna

Contacts

Discounts and prices’ reductions with the Artsupp Card

With the Artsupp Card you can get, for the first time, discounts and reduced entrance tickets for Italian museums .

Discover more

What you can find on Artsupp

Artsupp is the museums’ portal through which it’s easy to discover art, exhibitions and artworks. Now museums in France, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain can also share their activities with users

About us