Lenno is a tiny village on Lake Como's western shore. It is well known for its antique villas and extraordinarily beautiful parks situated off the main road. The most significant of the villas is perhaps the Villa Balbianello. Built in the late 1500's at the farthest tip of the Dosso di Lavedo, the villa seems to virtually rise out of the water. Now in the hands of the Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano (FAI), the structure was originally intended for the rest and relaxation of cardinals and Catholic clergy. It was enhanced in the 1600's by the addition of a terrace, providing a bird's eye view of the vast park's holm-oaks, magnolias, cyclamen, azaleas and cypresses. It is a real treat to visit the gardens at Villa Balbianello, which can be reached only by boat from Sala Comacina. (Open to visitors: Tues/Thurs/Sat/Sun 10:00-12:30 / 15:30-18:30; Ph. 0344-821955). Back to Cover Page

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