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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

Varenna

The fishermen's village newly popular as a picture postcard destination, with itineraries of art and nature
  • Villages
Ph: I Mille
25 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

Events

Botanica dei sentimenti. Erbari, ritratti e immagini del lago nell'età di Manzoni

Villa Monastero
Viale Polvani, 23829, Varenna, LC.
20/09/2024 - 30/11/2024
  • Art & Culture
Botanica dei sentimenti. Erbari, ritratti e immagini del lago nell'età di Manzoni
360 mt

La donna nelle opere di Giacomo Puccini

chiesa di San Martino
23/11/2024
  • Music and show
La donna nelle opere di Giacomo Puccini
1.04 km

Taiko: il grande tamburo giapponese

Sala Civica
Via Marinai d'Italia, 23822, Bellano, LC
10/12/2024
  • Art & Culture
Taiko: il grande tamburo giapponese
3.66 km

Tesori nascosti. Viaggio allascoperta dell'art dalla muggiasca al lago

Sala Civica
Via Marinai d'Italia, 23822, Lecco
14/01/2025
  • Art & Culture
Tesori nascosti. Viaggio allascoperta dell'art dalla muggiasca al lago
3.66 km

L'albero universo di vita: i rapporti tra alberi e insetti

Sala Civica
Via Marinai d'Italia, 23822, Lecco
11/02/2025
  • Art & Culture
L'albero universo di vita: i rapporti tra alberi e insetti
3.66 km

Medicina di genere: differenze uomo/donna in salute e malattia

Sala Civica
Via Marinai d'Italia, 23822, Lecco
11/03/2025
  • Art & Culture
Medicina di genere: differenze uomo/donna in salute e malattia
3.66 km

Il bello dell'Orrido con Tommaso Sacchi

Cinema di Bellano
Via Roma, 3, 23822, Bellano (LC)
30/11/2024
  • Art & Culture
Il bello dell'Orrido con Tommaso Sacchi
3.94 km

Tilt-esaurimento totale

Via Roma, 3, 23822, Lecco
24/01/2025
  • Art & Culture
Tilt-esaurimento totale
3.94 km

Ma chi mi credo di essere

Via Roma, 3, 23822, Lecco
21/02/2025
  • Art & Culture
Ma chi mi credo di essere
3.94 km

Pesa vegia 2024 - Il gran finale

per le vie del paese
13/01/2025
  • Lifestyle
Pesa vegia 2024 - Il gran finale
3.97 km

Bellano tra arte e fede

Ritrovo alla Chiesa dei Santi Nazario e Celso
Piazza San Giorgio, 5
30/11/2024
  • Art & Culture
Bellano tra arte e fede
3.99 km

I panni sporchi si lavano in famiglia

Cineteatro Paradise
Via Don Invernizzi, 23824, Lecco
29/11/2024
  • Art & Culture
I panni sporchi si lavano in famiglia
7.59 km

Aspettando il natale

Piazzetta Diaz
01/12/2024
  • Lifestyle
Aspettando il natale
7.62 km

Una goccia per la vita

Cinema Teatro Fabrizio De André
Via Leonardo Da Vinci
23/11/2024
  • Music and show
Una goccia per la vita
8.24 km

Eliott la piccola renna

Teatro comunale F. de Andrè
Via Leonardo Da Vinci
01/12/2024
  • Art & Culture
Eliott la piccola renna
8.24 km

Cena in rosso

CFPA Casargo in località Piazzo
25/11/2024
  • Food & Wine
Cena in rosso
8.63 km

I weekend dei sapori d'autunno 2024

Nei ristoranti aderenti all'iniziativa a Barzio, Casargo, Colico, Crandola Valsassina, Dervio, Pasturo, Valvarrone - Vestreno, Vendrogno
31/08/2024 - 01/12/2024
  • Food & Wine
I weekend dei sapori d'autunno 2024
8.64 km

Presepe vivente- 6^ edizione

Località Onno
06/01/2025
  • Lifestyle
Presepe vivente- 6^ edizione
8.86 km

Concerto per Santa Barbara

Miniera di barite
Via Merla, 23819, Primaluna, LC
01/12/2024
  • Music and show
Concerto per Santa Barbara
10.13 km

Il paese sul lago, cento e un personaggio in scena

Sala Civica
Via Dante Alighieri, 47, Mandello del Lario, 23826
06/12/2024
  • Art & Culture
Il paese sul lago, cento e un personaggio in scena
10.24 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

PHOTOGRAPHS AT SUNRISE OR SUNSET ON LAKE COMO

  • Lifestyle
PHOTOGRAPHS AT SUNRISE OR SUNSET ON LAKE COMO
3.07 km

PHOTO SHOOT IN THE LAKE VILLAS EXPERIENCE

  • Lifestyle
PHOTO SHOOT IN THE LAKE VILLAS EXPERIENCE
3.07 km

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ON THE LAKE

  • Lifestyle
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ON THE LAKE
3.07 km

WEDDING PROPOSAL

  • Wedding
WEDDING PROPOSAL
3.07 km

POLAROID ON LAKE COMO

  • Lifestyle
POLAROID ON LAKE COMO
3.07 km

Photographic experiences with Giulia Caminada

  • Lifestyle
Photographic experiences with Giulia Caminada
3.07 km

Bellagio, the pearl of lake Como

  • Villages
Bellagio, the pearl of lake Como
3.25 km

2 DAYS PASS FOR VILLA MELZI'S GARDEN

  • Art & Culture
2 DAYS PASS FOR VILLA MELZI'S GARDEN
4.17 km

VILLA MELZI'S GARDEN - SCHOOL GROUP TICKET

  • Art & Culture
VILLA MELZI'S GARDEN - SCHOOL GROUP TICKET
4.17 km

VILLA MELZI'S GARDEN - GROUP TICKET (minimun 15 people)

  • Art & Culture
VILLA MELZI'S GARDEN - GROUP TICKET (minimun 15 people)
4.17 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

Where to sleep

CAV VILLA BIANCA LIERNA - VARENNA HOLIDAYS

VARENNA
CAV VILLA BIANCA LIERNA - VARENNA HOLIDAYS
25 mt

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 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 DAISY HOME - VARENNA HOLIDAYS

VARENNA
CAV DAISY HOME -  VARENNA HOLIDAYS
34 mt

CAV MIRANDA'S HOME - VARENNA HOLIDAYS

VARENNA
CAV MIRANDA'S HOME - VARENNA HOLIDAYS
34 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

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