The Villa started as an ancient Cistercian woman’s monastery, which was built in the 12th century. The transformation in 1569 started with the Mornico family from Valassina, who owned the property for more than three centuries, and called it Villa Leliana. In 1862, the house was sold to Pietro Genazzini of Bellagio, but in 1869 he had to sell it due to financial issues and is then purchased by Carolina Maumari that same year. Walter Kees was the next owner and responsible the the current eclectic look of the house. The De Marchi family purchased the estate in 1925, and then donated it as a public property and museum in 1939.
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The Villa is an important international conference center and hosts summer courses for the Enrico Fermi International School of Physics. It is world-renowned thanks to the lectures delivered by Nobel Laureate Enrico Fermi in 1954.
What you should know:
There are walking trails all through the gardens.
Public restrooms are available.
One price ticket includes self-guided house and garden tours.
Tickets can be bought on-line or in-person.
Check the website for special events and days / hours of operation.
People are friendly and helpful, and many speak English.
Location: Viale Giovanni Polvani, 4, 23829 Varenna LC, Italy
For more information: Villa Monastero