With its mosaics, statues, frescoes, fountains and water features, Villa Litta is the perfect example of the “pleasure villas” so popular in Lombardy between the 16th and 17th century, when it was built on the order of Count Pirro I Visconti Borromeo and designed by some of the best architects of the time.

The result is breathtaking. The villa’s best-known feature is probably the Nymphaeum, which is one of the best examples of this type of architecture in the area, thanks to the grand embellishments and the effect of the water features, still working today, powered by the sophisticated plumbing designed by some of the era’s best fountain makers.

The park won the 2016 title of Most Beautiful Public Park in Italy thanks to its green houses, fountains, irrigation canals, the hornbeam tunnel made of over 300 plants, 800 metres long and 4 metres in height and width, and the Verzura theatre, the natural arena used for theatrical and musical performances.

Today the villa and the park host many cultural events such as shows, workshops and exhibitions.