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Villa Erba in Cernobbio, Lake Como.
Villa Erba is set on the shore of the lake, nearly lapped by the waves.
It was built for Luigi Erba of the House Visconti di Modrone, on a project by the architects Borsani and Saroldi at the beginning of the 20th century. Later it passed in property to Carla Erba, granddaughter of the founder of the Pharmaceutical Firm Carlo Erba, who married Giuseppe of the House Visconti.
Inside the huge Park, hidden by a thicket of trees, is the 18th century’s Villa Nuova with some statues and columns on its front wall, which had belonged to General Pino and later passed down to General Giuseppe Cima della Scala, a descendent of the ancient Lords of Verona. Count and Countess Pino moved to this villa after they sold Villa Gàrrovo (alias villa d’Este) to Princess Brunswick, wife to King George IV of Great Britain, but who never became Queen.
In this villa were guests Boito, Giacosa, Verdi, Gualdo, Verga, Lasalle, and also when it became property of the Visconti there were guests artists poets and musicians. Since her childhood, Pino’s granddaughter, Victoria, used to spend summer at this villa together with her mother, and she did it till the property was sold to the Erba Family from Milan.
At the beginning of the 20th century, not far from the historical mansion of Count Pino, was built the sumptuous Villa Erba, nowadays property of the Province of Como, and now well known seat for international exhibitions.
Other villas to visit at the border between Cernobbio and Moltrasio are Villa del Pizzo Volpi Bassani which was built in the first half of the 16th century; Villa Fontanelle that belonged to the stylist Gianni Versace, of the 19th century; Villa Bernasconi built in Art Nouveau with peculiar decorations after that style, built at the beginning of the 20th century
Visitare Villa Erba a Cernobbio
You can only visit Villa Erba and its wonderful park on the occasion of special events open to the public, such as the winter event La Città dei Balocchi (Toy Town) or the famous Orticolario fair, the beautiful autumn event organised at Villa Erba during the first weekend in October. More than 270 exhibitors create a unique journey through the park and exhibition centre among art, gardens, design, rare plants and handicrafts.