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Villa Monastero, in Varenna, is a gem set in the breathtaking panorama of Lake Como, a place that embodies the beauty and history of the Province of Lecco. This ancient mansion, transformed from a Cistercian monastery to an elegant patrician residence, now offers itself to visitors as a House Museum and Botanical Garden, attracting lovers of history, nature, art and love. A unique location that also offers the possibility of using some of its spaces for photo shoots, video shoots and wedding celebrations.
Vista su Varenna – Ph. shirmanov aleksey/shutterstock
The enchantment of an ancient mansion
Villa Monastero, overlooking the eastern branch of Lake Como, is surrounded by a Botanical Garden rich in rare and distinctive species. Its rooms, all richly decorated and furnished, reveal the passage of different owners who have contributed to making it the magnificent structure it is today. Open to the public as a House Museum since 2003, Villa Monastero was proclaimed a Museum in 2021 by the Region of Lombardia.
Affiliated with the Museum System of the Province of Lecco, Villa Monastero is part of a circuit that includes 53 museums and cultural assets. The system offers 10 routes called SIMPLe Ways, through which the historical and naturalistic richness of the region can be explored.
The number of visitors to the Villa is increasing: in the year 2023, despite the closure of the compendium to the public for five months in order to give way to some redevelopment work on the House Museum and the botanical garden, 257,292 admissions were recorded (more than tripled compared to the 2021 figure).
Interior of Villa Monastero – Ph. Wayne Williams/flickr
A Dream Botanical Garden
The Villa Monastero Botanical Garden, a veritable treasure chest of biodiversity, spreads along the Como Lake front with a path of almost 2 km, offers a unique scenery thanks to the presence of peculiar and rare botanical species such as palms, citrus trees, cedars and cypresses, as well as magnolias and precious collections of hydrangeas, roses, wisteria and jasmine.
This rich variability, together with the Mediterranean flora, makes the garden a place of special beauty and uniqueness. Recently, the garden has undergone a major enhancement and redevelopment, funded by the European Union (NextGenerationEU) through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan 2022, aimed at preserving and improving the stylistic and botanical coherence of the environment.
Visits to the garden are also made more engaging through multimedia and interactive tours, which provide a deeper understanding of the botanical and museum history of the place, with a special focus on the monastic period, the origin of the mansion’s name.
Botanical Garden – Ph. essevu/shutterstock
Events, exhibitions, educational and cultural activities
Throughout the year, Villa Monastero hosts a wide variety of cultural events and exhibitions curated by Anna Ranzi, offering visitors a unique opportunity to delve into the history and art associated with this extraordinary place. From the comparison of ancient herbaria to Lectio magistralis, each event is designed to further embellish the experience of those who visit the villa.
Educational activities are another strength of Villa Monastero, with educational tours and workshops dedicated to school groups and families who wish to explore the art, history and botanical heritage of the villa in an active and engaging way.
The ancient monastery is also a renowned conference center that has been attended by illustrious figures such as Enrico Fermi and more than sixty Nobel Laureates. The Exhibition Space, on the other hand, is dedicated to temporary exhibitions of different art forms, contributing to making Villa Monastero an international meeting place and cultural exchange.
Villa Monastero – Ph. vito vito/flickr
Calendar of events of 2024
In 2024, Villa Monastero continues to be a hub of cultural and botanical events. Curated by curator Anna Ranzi, the year’s proposals mark the opening to thematic paths that link the artistic beauty of the House Museum with the diverse flora of its green extensions. An itinerary intended to explore not only the art, but also the botany and history of the Villa.
On May 16, coinciding with the Icom International Museum Day on May 18, the Villa Monastero Notebook will be presented, which includes essays on the history of the villa and articles on the enhancement of the Lecco area. At the same time, the new guide to the Botanical Garden, developed together with the Minoprio Foundation, will be introduced.
In the educational sphere, Villa Monastero joins the “One, Two, Three… Museums!” project, hosting guided tour workshops “Discovering an Ancient Dwelling” for children and families on May 25, June 22, September 15 and October 22.
Antichi abiti esposti- Ph. Gite in Lombardia/flickr
From May 24 to June 23, Gaetano Orazio’s exhibition entitled “In the Shadow of the Lake… of Sky, Land and Water” will be accessible in the villa’s exhibition space, immersing visitors in the aquatic element, inspired by the context of Villa Monastero.
On May 26, for the Bicentennial celebrations of Antonio Ghislanzoni, there will be a garden concert performed by the Filarmonica Verdi. This will be followed on June 1 by a Lectio magistralis / Round Table and a concert with string quartet, while in October an exhibition will explore a selection of Ghislanzoni’s letters and autographs preserved in the Villa Monastero archives, accompanied by further in-depth activities.
On June 1 and 2, during Appointment in the Garden, visitors can join a guided tour to discover the secrets of Villa Monastero’s garden. Experts from the Minoprio Foundation will explain the sensory experiences offered by the garden, and participants will be able to create flavored salt with local plants to take home.
Ph. Robin Keymer/flickr
The section of the House Museum dedicated to the twentieth century, the exhibition “A Small Masterpiece Rediscovered” and the unprecedented initiatives that will accompany us until November show the ongoing commitment of the Province of Lecco to keep the Villa’s cultural offerings alive, enriching it with moments of encounter between art, history and nature.
Each event is an opportunity to immerse oneself in an environment where natural beauty blends with traces of local cultural heritage, and Villa Monastero is confirmed as a gem of our territory capable of enchanting and educating at the same time.
Useful information
For information on event programming, exhibitions, or to arrange tours, private events, or participate in workshops, you can visit the official website of Villa Monastero.
