Photography by Francesco Arena
Overlooking the shores of Lake Como and built at the end of the 17th century by the Marquis Clerici, the Villa has always been a favourite destination for visitors from all over the world.
It boasts masterpieces of art by Canova, Thorvaldsen and Hayez, which were collected in the nineteenth century by the second owner Giovanni Battista Sommariva. The garden, created by Duke Giorgio II, the husband of Princess Carlotta, is also very much worth a visit.
During the First World War the Villa was confiscated by the Italian State and entrusted to the Ente Villa Carlotta, which has been responsible for the conservation and management of the property ever since.