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    • Art & Culture

The Magnolia of Villa Monastero

In an enchanting location, rich in artistic and natural wonders, a spectacular magnolia tree caresses the waters of the lake.

Where
Giardini di Villa Monastero
Viale Polvani, 2, Varenna (LC)

On the eastern shore of Lake Como, a shore overlooked by high, impervious peaks such as the Grigne, the most popular village for tourists is Varenna.

 

The picturesque village, whose steep stone alleys and colourful houses remind many of the Cinque Terre, has been made famous by the splendid Villa Monastero with its gardens. It is a place where, with a skilful mix of architecture, art and botanical wonders, man has been able to create a fairytale setting on the shores of the lake over the centuries.

Right in front of the villa's façade, there is a beautiful magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora); its large, globular crown joins the walls of the building to the water of the lake.

With a trunk circumference of almost 5 metres (diameter 155 cm) and a height of 13 metres, the tree characterises the aesthetics of the site. However, this is only one of the many treasures of the botanical garden. Almost 2 km long and structured in terraces, the park is rich in species from all over the world, which, thanks to the lake's mild climate and the care of expert hands, have managed to thrive. Palm trees, cypresses, citrus trees and unusual trees mingle with statues and architectural elements, creating a truly evocative landscape.

A green monument that is accessible to the public during park opening hours.

(Ph: Luca Pernechele)
Take me here: The Magnolia of Villa Monastero

Places

Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie

  • Art & Culture
Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie
22 mt

Church of San Giovanni Battista

Discover the oldest church in Varenna, one of the first built on Lake Como when Christianity was beginning to spread.
  • Art & Culture
Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista Varenna
22 mt

Ornithology and Natural Science Civic Museum "Luigi Scanagatta"

Ornithology and Natural Science Civic Museum "Luigi Scanagatta"
43 mt

Village of Varenna

The Village of Varenna is divided into a grid of streets that steeply slope down towards Lake Como.
  • Villages
Village of Varenna
53 mt

Church of San Giorgio

  • Art & Culture
Chiesa di San Giorgio Varenna
60 mt

Villa Cipressi

  • Parks
Villa Cipressi Varenna
61 mt

Villa Monastero

Villa Monastero is one of Varenna’s best-known landmarks. It's now a museum showcasing a collection of items left by its owners
  • Art & Culture
Villa Monastero, Varenna
152 mt

Vezio Castle

Ancient medieval fortress overlooking Varenna, surrounded by a centuries-old olive grove, with a breathtaking view over Lake Como.
  • Art & Culture
Castello di Vezio Varenna
235 mt

Fiumelatte

In Varenna, discover the shortest river of Italy and visit its source surrounded by nature.
  • Active & Green
Fiumelatte Varenna
1.81 km

Villa serbelloni

In the village of Bellagio, "the pearl of Lake Como", is home to one of the most evocative historical residences of the Lario
  • Art & Culture
Villa Serbelloni
2.93 km

The Michoacan Pine at Villa Melzi

  • Active & Green
The Michoacan Pine at Villa Melzi
3.21 km

The Liriodendrons of Villa Melzi

  • Active & Green
The Liriodendrons of Villa Melzi
3.21 km

Lido of Lake Como

Relax and comfort on Lake Como during the summer
  • Lakes
lettino lido lago como
3.51 km

Walking tour through Menaggio

Historical itinerary along the main sites of the town
  • Art & Culture
Piazza Garibaldi
3.66 km

Church of S. Marta

  • Art & Culture
Church of S. Marta
3.68 km

Centre and lakeside of Menaggio

  • Villages
Centre and lakeside of Menaggio
3.71 km

Il Rogolone

The big oak tree
Il Rogolone
3.72 km

Monument to the silk weaver

  • Art & Culture
Monumento alla Tessitrice
3.72 km

Itinerario a quiz per Menaggio

  • Art & Culture
medieval sculpture
3.72 km

Villa mylius vigoni

Rich of suggestions, memories and ancient trees, the park of Villa Vigoni is one of the best preserved romantic gardens in Lombardy
  • Art & Culture
Villa Mylius Vigoni
3.72 km

Events

Villa Monastero di Varenna

Via Giovanni Polvani, 4
27/04/2024
  • Active & Green
Villa Monastero di Varenna
142 mt

Villa Monastero di Varenna

Via Giovanni Polvani, 4
28/04/2024
  • Active & Green
Villa Monastero di Varenna
142 mt

Villa Monastero di Varenna

Via Giovanni Polvani, 4
01/05/2024
  • Active & Green
Villa Monastero di Varenna
142 mt

Villa Monastero

Via Giovanni Polvani, 4
04/05/2024
  • Active & Green
Villa Monastero
142 mt

Exhibition “Kaleidoscope” by Sara Montani

Torre delle Arti
Salita Plinio 21, 22021, Bellagio (CO)
24/04/2024 - 06/05/2024
  • Art & Culture
Exhibition “Kaleidoscope” by Sara Montani
3.04 km

May market

Lungolago Europa
Lungolago Europa, 22021, Bellagio (CO)
05/05/2024
  • Lifestyle
May market
3.29 km

Sunset aperitif

Lungolago Europa
Lungolago Europa, 22021, Bellagio (CO)
01/06/2024
  • Top Events
Sunset aperitif
3.29 km

Bellano - Varenna: le perle del Lario sul sentiero del Viandante

ritrovo in Via XX Settembre, 72
Via XX Settembre, 72, 23822, Bellano, LC
27/04/2024
  • Active & Green
Bellano - Varenna: le perle del Lario sul sentiero del Viandante
3.6 km

Bellano - Varenna: le perle del Lario sul sentiero del Viandante

ritrovo in Via XX Settembre, 72
Via XX Settembre, 72, 23822, Bellano, LC
27/04/2024
  • Active & Green
Bellano - Varenna: le perle del Lario sul sentiero del Viandante
3.6 km

Voci nascoste, le artiste che hanno sfidato il sistema

Sala Civica
Via Marinai d'Italia, 23822, Bellano, LC
14/05/2024
  • Art & Culture
Voci nascoste, le artiste che hanno sfidato il sistema
3.66 km

La montagna più bella del mondo

Spazio Circolo
Via Manzoni 50, 23822, Bellano, LC
23/03/2024 - 29/09/2024
  • Art & Culture
La montagna più bella del mondo
4.1 km

Princesses

Teatro Oratorio Visgnola
Piazza Don Cantoni, 22021 Bellagio (CO)
28/04/2024
  • Music and show
Princesses
5.85 km

Escursione al rifugio Bietti

ritrovo al Cainallo
Cainallo, 23825, Esino Lario, LC
19/05/2024
  • Active & Green
Escursione al rifugio Bietti
6.16 km

Escursione al rifugio Bietti

ritrovo in Cainallo
ritrovo in Cainallo, 23825, Esino Lario, LC
29/06/2024
  • Active & Green
Escursione al rifugio Bietti
6.16 km

In Valsassina tra i paesi dipinti di Parlasco e Taceno

ritrovo in Via Roma, 2
Via Roma, 2, 23837, Taceno, LC
28/04/2024
  • Active & Green
In Valsassina tra i paesi dipinti di Parlasco e Taceno
6.35 km

Trekking esperienziale: preparare oli e profumi con le piante

ritrovo in Via Roma, 2
Via Roma, 2, 23837, Taceno, LC
11/05/2024
  • Active & Green
Trekking esperienziale: preparare oli e profumi con le piante
6.35 km

Trekking esperienziale: preparare oli e profumi con le piante

ritrovo in Via Roma, 2
Via Roma, 2, 23837, Taceno, LC
11/05/2024
  • Active & Green
Trekking esperienziale: preparare oli e profumi con le piante
6.35 km

Anello del monte Muggio

ritrovo in Via Monte Muggio
Via Monte Muggio, 23831, Casargo, LC
01/06/2024
  • Active & Green
Anello del monte Muggio
6.75 km

Bimbilandia. Il festival dei bambini

campo sportivo comunale Dervio
Via Marconi
25/04/2024 - 27/04/2024
  • School
Bimbilandia. Il festival dei bambini
7.07 km

El gall a rost

Cineteatro Paradise
Via Don Ambrogio Invernizzi, 34, 23824, Dervio, LC
27/04/2024
  • Art & Culture
El gall a rost
7.6 km

Activities

Cruise & Dinner from Varenna

  • Lakes
Cruise & Dinner from Varenna
185 mt

Villas and Flavors of Lake Como

  • Lakes
Villas and Flavors of Lake Como
463 mt

VARENNA AND ITS HAMLETS and olive oil tasting

  • Villages
VARENNA AND ITS HAMLETS and olive oil tasting
604 mt

Let's taste Como Lake

  • Active & Green
Let's taste Como Lake
2.32 km

Bellagio Travel Guide: the complete guide

  • Lifestyle
Bellagio Travel Guide: the complete guide
3.04 km

Bellagio, the pearl of lake Como

  • Villages
Bellagio, the pearl of lake Como
3.25 km

E-bike Tour with Lunch in Valsolda, Lake Lugano

  • Active & Green
E-bike Tour with Lunch in Valsolda, Lake Lugano
5.71 km

Tour Menaggio's Most Magical Lake Views in E-bike

  • Active & Green
Tour Menaggio's Most Magical Lake Views in E-bike
5.71 km

E-bike Tour of Three Lakes and Idyllic Mountain Life

  • Active & Green
E-bike Tour of Three Lakes and Idyllic Mountain Life
5.71 km

E-bike Classic Lake Como Villages with a Local Touch

  • Active & Green
E-bike Classic Lake Como Villages with a Local Touch
5.71 km

Paragling Tandem on Lake Como with Flylibell

  • Active & Green
Paragling Tandem on Lake Como with Flylibell
6.65 km

VILLA DEL BALBIANELLO AND SACRO MONTE IN OSSUCCIO along the Greenway

  • Active & Green
VILLA DEL BALBIANELLO AND SACRO MONTE IN OSSUCCIO along the Greenway
7.99 km

Cook with us - Lake Como

  • Food & Wine
Cook with us - Lake Como
11.18 km

In the footsteps of Leonardo walking along Lake Como

  • Active & Green
In the footsteps of Leonardo walking along Lake Como
13.29 km

WEEKEND - TRAVERSATA DEL TRIANGOLO LARIANO - DA COMO A BELLAGIO

  • Active & Green
WEEKEND - TRAVERSATA DEL TRIANGOLO LARIANO - DA COMO A BELLAGIO
14.44 km

The secrets of Valsassina cheeses: dairy laboratory for children and teenagers

  • School
The secrets of Valsassina cheeses: dairy laboratory for children and teenagers
14.75 km

The secrets of Valsassina cheeses: Cooking Class Experience

  • Food & Wine
The secrets of Valsassina cheeses: Cooking Class Experience
14.75 km

The secrets of Valsassina cheeses: Blind Test Experience

  • Food & Wine
The secrets of Valsassina cheeses: Blind Test Experience
14.75 km

The secrets of Valsassina cheeses: Gourmet Experience

  • Food & Wine
The secrets of Valsassina cheeses: Gourmet Experience
14.75 km

The secrets of Valsassina cheeses: Classic Experience

  • Food & Wine
The secrets of Valsassina cheeses: Classic Experience
14.75 km

Where to sleep

ROYAL VICTORIA

Varenna
ROYAL VICTORIA
26 mt

CAV CASA FERRARI - VARENNA HOLIDAYS

VARENNA
CAV CASA FERRARI - VARENNA HOLIDAYS
26 mt

LT VILLA TORRETTA di Laura Colombo

VARENNA
LT VILLA TORRETTA di Laura Colombo
27 mt

cav MARINA HOUSE di Andrea Gianola

VARENNA
cav MARINA HOUSE di Andrea Gianola
30 mt

cav LARA'S HOME di Danilo Gianola

Varenna
cav LARA'S HOME di Danilo Gianola
30 mt

VILLA MAPELLI - BP Best Places

Varenna
VILLA MAPELLI - BP Best Places
32 mt

CAV CASA SAN GIORGIO di Fulvia Melesi

Varenna
CAV CASA SAN GIORGIO di Fulvia Melesi
34 mt

B&B VILLA ELENA

Varenna
B&B VILLA ELENA
34 mt

B&B LA GONDOLA LARIANA

Varenna
B&B LA GONDOLA LARIANA
41 mt

CAV TINY DUKE APARTMENT - VARENNA HOLIDAYS

VARENNA
CAV TINY DUKE APARTMENT - VARENNA HOLIDAYS
45 mt

CAV THE SECRET GARDEN - VARENNA HOLIDAYS

VARENNA
CAV THE SECRET GARDEN - VARENNA HOLIDAYS
47 mt

CAV CASA MAGNOLIA - VARENNA HOLIDAYS

VARENNA
CAV CASA MAGNOLIA - VARENNA HOLIDAYS
48 mt

cav APPARTAMENTO CONTRADA VECCHIA di Stefano Acquistapace

Varenna
cav APPARTAMENTO CONTRADA VECCHIA di Stefano Acquistapace
48 mt

CAV CASA STELLA -VARENNA HOLIDAYS

VARENNA
CAV CASA STELLA -VARENNA HOLIDAYS
51 mt

cav CASA "LA CONTRADA" di Andrea Gianola

Varenna
cav CASA
51 mt

B&B Michelangelo

Varenna
B&B Michelangelo
51 mt

DEL SOLE

Varenna
DEL SOLE
53 mt

cav Villa Reginella di Antonio Peccati

Varenna
cav Villa Reginella di Antonio Peccati
54 mt

CAV CASA IRIS di AZ SRL

VARENNA
CAV CASA IRIS di AZ SRL
57 mt

CAV WONDERFUL VIEW - AZ srl

Varenna
CAV WONDERFUL VIEW - AZ srl
57 mt