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Garden · Bellagio, Lombardia
Villa Carlotta
17th-century villa on the west shore of the lake, in Tremezzina, with a museum of Canova sculptures and Hayez paintings and a large botanical garden.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Villa Carlotta
Villa Carlotta was built at the end of the 17th century for the marquis Giorgio Clerici, in Tremezzo, facing Bellagio. At the beginning of the 19th century it passed to Gian Battista Sommariva, a collector who gathered works by Antonio Canova and painters of the period there. In the mid-19th century, Princess Carlota da Prússia received the villa as a wedding gift, and the name stuck.
The museum, in the villa's salons, houses Canova's Terpsichore, a copy of Cupid and Psyche made by Adamo Tadolini and the painting The Last Kiss of Romeo and Juliet by Francesco Hayez. The upper floors show period furniture and rooms.
The botanical garden spreads over about 8 hectares in terraces and paths. In spring, the azaleas and rhododendrons form tunnels of color; there is also a fern valley, a bamboo grove and a rock garden.
The villa is open seasonally, usually from March to early November. The visit is worth it as a boat trip from Bellagio.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
2 to 3 hours for the museum and the garden.
Best time
April and May, when the azaleas and rhododendrons are in bloom. In autumn the garden becomes calmer. The season usually runs from March to early November.
How to get there
From Bellagio, a Navigazione Laghi boat to Cadenabbia or to the Tremezzo - Villa Carlotta stop, which is a few minutes' walk from the entrance. The crossing is short.
Tip
Combine it with Villa del Balbianello, on the same shore, further south. The garden has slopes and stairs: wear comfortable footwear.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Villa Carlotta
How do I get to Villa Carlotta from Bellagio?
By boat, to Cadenabbia or to the Tremezzo - Villa Carlotta stop. The crossing is short and the entrance is a few minutes on foot.
What's the best time to see the garden?
April and May, when the azaleas and rhododendrons are in bloom.
What's in the villa's museum?
Sculptures by Antonio Canova and his followers and paintings such as "The Last Kiss of Romeo and Juliet" by Francesco Hayez.