Villa Olmo

Villa Olmo is a stunning neoclassical villa on Lake Como with beautiful gardens and scenic lake views. It often hosts art exhibitions and cultural events, making it a perfect stop for history, architecture, and nature lovers alike.

I should give 5 stars, but unfortunately we found the Villa Olmo under construction. But the garden outside is still really worth the visit. Very beautiful place.

It's under reconstruction, because the building is old, but the gardens are lovely and the view of the lake is majestic!

A beautiful villa right in front of the lake. Didn't go to the villa but just sightseeing the park and the lake. The park is wide and beautiful, suitable to picnic or just to stroll around. It's suitable to got there on one-day trip from Milan, to experience different ambience. There is public toilet too, it's moderately clean but smelly.

sadly when we visited the villa was being renovated, but the gardens are beautiful, there are ample benches overlooking the lake and honestly the views up the lake are worth going for alone! look out for the water-planes taking off right in front of the villa, they're brilliant!!

ю It’s a truly lovely place — comfortable, clean, and with a warm atmosphere Just a small note: the building facade is currently under renovation, so keep that in mind when you arrive

We’re not sure what the building itself looks like, since it was covered in scaffolding and protective netting, but the location is amazing.

While it may not have the same level of fame as some other villas around Lake Como, it offers a unique charm and is free to visit. Situated right on the shores, it offers spectacular views of the lake which is perfect for a leisurely walk along the water. At times, certain areas of the villa and gardens may show signs of needing maintenance. This is a minor issue but worth noting. The interior of the villa is not always fully accessible to the public. Some rooms, if not the whole villa, may be closed off, depending on current exhibitions or events.

The name Villa Olmo is derived from a magnificent hundred-year-old elm that no longer exists. It was built in the neoclassical style on the commission of Marquis Innocenzo Odescalchi, from the family line of Pope Innocent XI (1676-1689). The construction of the Villa started in 1782 and finished in 1797. The director of the construction was Simone Cantoni, an eminent architect from Ticino who developed the original project drafted by Innocenzo Ragazzoni also from Ticino. Cantoni collaborated with Domenico, Carlo, Luca and Giuseppe Pozzi and the sculptor Francesco Carabelli. The Villa played host to a number of famous visitors, among the illustrious guests being Napoleon Bonaparte in 1797 and Ugo Foscolo in 1809. Upon the death of Innocenzo Odescalchi in 1824, the villa passed to the Raimondi family who took it upon themselves to put the large piazza opposite the villa in order. Once again the villa was witness to historical visits and meetings; in 1835, the Queen of the Two Sicilies and the Queen of Sardinia were guests of the Raimondis. In 1883, the heirs of Marquis Raimondi sold the villa to Duke Guido Visconti di Modrone who decided to carry out a programme of restoration and improvement which would include the interior of the building. In 1924, the villa passed from the Visconti di Modrone to the city of Como. Thus began the fourth period in its history under the banner of Art and Science. On the centenary of Alessandro Volta's death in 1927, the villa hosted numerous local events, congresses, conventions, symposia and shows. Since 1982 it has been the home of the Alessandro Volta Centre of Scientific Culture and hosts many international events.

This villa would be better is a more boring place, but the lake outside is so much better that's it's probably not worth coming here unless you have time to burn. This was the least impressive attraction I saw here, but it's free.