• Art & Culture
    • Active & Green

11 addresses for villas and parks

Relive the charm of the past between villas, parks and castles in Lombardy

Castles, parks and villas. Where the fascination of the past is brought back to life. Amidst towers, frescoes, ballrooms.

Lombardy has a very rich history and it is still possible to appreciate it inside the fascinating residences of the well off people of this region.

A blast from the past to live, once again, the charm of the old times, losing yourself in those beautiful places where culture and nature join together in harmony.

1. In the Oratorio di Villa Suardi, in Trescore Balneario (Bergamo), face to face with the naïve beauty of the frescoes by Lotto.

2. Where life is inimitable: at the Vittoriale degli Italiani in Gardone Riviera (Brescia), in the museum house of the poet D'Annunzio.

3. The enchantment of a home with a literary vocation, which was the set of Star Wars. The address: Villa del Balbianello in Tremezzina (Como).

4. At the court of Leonardo's "Dama con l'ermellino" at Villa Medici del Vascello in San Giovanni in Croce (Cremona).

5. Agaves, African palms: two kilometres of exotic vegetation on the lake side in the gardens of Villa Monastero in Varenna (Lecco).

6. A journey through the history of bread and Lombard agriculture in the Musei del Castello Bolognini in Sant'Angelo Lodigiano (Lodi), where Giacomo Casanova once slept. 

7. Among nature, leisure and history. In the magnificent Palazzina Gonzaghesca of Bosco della Fontana, in Marmirolo (Mantua).

8. Façade by Piermarini and eclectic furnishings: all the beauty of Villa Cusani Tittoni Traversi in Desio (Monza e Brianza).

9. From aristocratic residence of Gian Galeazzo II to cultural centre. The Castello di Belgioioso (Pavia) and its many lives.

10. A plunge in the 14th century. In Montagna in Valtellina (Sondrio), the Castel Grumello is a single fortress made up of two twin buildings.  

11. Among frescoes and rose gardens, a baroque ‘garden of wonders' featuring a theatre, stairs, statues and fountains surrounds Villa Della Porta Bozzolo in Casalzuigno (Varese).

On the same topic

Milan and its mysterious places

Witches, demons, symbols and legends make Milan a city full of mystery
  • Art & Culture

Spring in Varese

Varese: walks, picnics, secret beaches. In the spring, spend a day outdoors in the land of the lakes.
Plenty of culture and fresh air at the Villa Della Porta Bozzolo
  • Art & Culture

Angera and the Open Air Museum

A beautiful lakefront and a very picturesque aura in the province of Varese
Visit Angera and surroundings: some tips
  • Art & Culture

Lodi, invitation to court

Scenes of court life in the majestic Castle of Sant'Angelo Lodigiano that dominates the plain with an unequaled past
Castello Sant'Angelo, Lodi
  • Art & Culture

Milan, a fun with the children

Ancient castles, amusement parks and interactive museums. Discover what Lombardy offers for children. First stop, Milan.
A spasso con i bambini
  • Art & Culture

A day at the National Museum Leonardo da Vinci

One of the largest science and technology museums in Europe
Museo della Scienza
  • Art & Culture

Monument Sondrio

Historical, artistic, traditional Sondrio in its many monuments ... and a railway station from which a special train departs
Monument Sondrio, what to see
  • Art & Culture

Seven art works to discover in Milan

An artistic itinerary through the streets of Milan, discovering works that transform the city into an open-air gallery.
  • Art & Culture

Following Leonardo's footsteps in Milan

  • Art & Culture

Lombardy in 5 Castles

Impregnable fortresses, with enchanting lake views, legends of ghosts. Five castles in Lombardy to be visited
Lombardy in 5 Castles
  • Art & Culture

Seven castles in Lombardy

From Lake Garda to Valtellina by way of Milan. Among crenellated walls, towers and porticoed loggias
Castello Sforzesco a Milano
  • Art & Culture

House Museums of Lombardy: step inside the homes of renowned historical figures

Discover the history and culture of the Region of Lombardy through its historic house museums, from the homes of famous people and art collectors to artists' studios.
Case Museo in Lombardia - Villa Manzoni, Lecco
  • Art & Culture

Diocesan Museum

Pre-view of the exhibited art-works
  • Art & Culture

A Day in Pavia

When organizing your trip to Lombardy do not forget to visit Pavia
  • Art & Culture

Theaters Brescia

Brescia will surprise you with the vitality of its theaters, where are staged prose, ballets and concerts
Theaters Brescia, culture in Lombardy
  • Art & Culture

Summer Guided Tours to the Town's Museums

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday till the end of August
  • Art & Culture

Autumn trip to villas and castles

An autumn adventure of history & beauty: explore the autumn charm of Lombardy's villas and castles.
Villa Olmo (Como)
  • Art & Culture

Museums Cremona

The museums, a meeting with the culture and with the history of Cremona
Museums Cremona, discovering Lombardy
  • Art & Culture

Milan, following Leonardo’s footsteps

Pictorial suggestions and drawings. Machines and impressive hydraulic engineering works. In Milan, a journey in the wake of Leonardo
  • Art & Culture

Visit the interactive exhibit Leonardo3. The World of Leonardo

Discover the works of Leonardo Da Vinci as you've never seen before
Leonardo3. Il Mondo di Leonardo
  • Art & Culture