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Botanic garden
A great number of chemists
land on this shore
and gather Aloe plants
which have always grown
and blossomed here
thanks to such a mild
and generous climate
Anton Gioseffo della Torre di Rezzonico, 1777
the gardens
The whole park is a true natural attraction which
looks out onto the eastern shore of Lake Como
along a narrow strip of land that stretches away
for about two kilometres from Varenna to Fiumelatte. Thanks to the centuries-old work, the steep
sides of the shore were modified into an impressive scener y.
The soil is laid out in terraces, which helped to
arrange the garden in different squares with a recurrent main theme, like the peculiar row of cypresses along the path to the entrance of the Villa,
the cedars of Lebanon or the evergreen hedges.
What we can see today is the result of the work
made by the De Marchi family (who owned Villa
Monastero from 1925 to 1936, before donating
it) in the early 20th centur y, and of the even more
significant changes by Walter Kees.
The German business man from Leipzig, in fact,
bought the proper ty in 1897 from other owners.
However, it was the Mornico family, from Valsassina, who turned the Villa from a nunner y into a
private home in the 17th centur y. Mr Kees remarkably extended the park; narrow terraces were
created and special botanic species were added.
The park has the typical features of a lake garden
in the late 19th centur y.
Thanks to the extremely mild climate, many exotic species grow in the garden: African and Ame-
the gardens
rica palms, agave plants, yuccas, dracaenas, citrus
trees and oleanders, as well as other botanic rarities such as the Mexican blue palm -with its large
silver y fan-shaped leaves-, the Chamaerops, the
Er ythea Edulis the Chilean wine palm, the Montezuma pine and the great citrus trees collection.
Among other rarities, an extraordinar y collection
of English roses, wisterias, several kinds of oaks
and multi-coloured peonies were planted in 2013
and now dot the path along the lake.
When you walk through the park, you have the
oppor tunity to admire the beauty of architectural
elements like statues, small temple, bas-reliefs and
fountains scattered in the park up to the coffee
bar. Among them, the baroque sculptures by Giovan Battista Comolli (1775-1830) catch the eye
of the visitors.
The sculptor’s last creation representing Titus Clemence was placed in the park in the early 20th
centur y.
oPening tiMes gardens
oPening tiMes casa MUseo
1st March – 2nd noVeMBer
Open daily
9:30 am – 7:00 pm
1st March - 31st JULY
1st sePteMBer - 2nd noVeMBer
Fri-Sat-Sun and Festivities
9:30 am – 7:00 pm
Last entry 30 minutes before closing
1st - 31st aUgUst
Open daily
9:30 am – 7:00 pm
ticKets and serVices
ticKets For the garden
€ 5.00 for adults
€ 2.00 senior visitors 65+, groups of 10+ people,
Touring Club members, visitors between 14 and 18 and
students between 18 and 24.
ticKets For the gardens and casa MUseo
€ 8.00 for adults
€ 4.00 senior visitors 65+, groups of 10+ people,Touring
Club members, visitors between 14 and 18 and students
between 18 and 24.
FREE for children 13 and under, disabled visitors, ICOM members and
Varenna citizens.
Boat access is free for the duration of the visit to Gardens and House
Museum upon authorization of the Province of Lecco. Ticket payment
is required.
additionaL serVices
Commercial photo shooting and filming services:
€ 300,00 +VAT per day.
Wedding photo shooting (to be made in the Gardens
only): € 50,00
VILLA MOnASTERO
via Giovanni Polvani, 4
23829 Varenna LC (Italia)
Ph +39 0341.295450
Fax +39 0341.295333
www.villamonastero.eu
tramite R.P. & COMUNICAZIONE
PROVInCE OF LECCO
Administrative Offices
piazza Lega Lombarda, 4
23900 Lecco (Italia)
Ph +39 0341.295450
Fax +39 0341.295333
www.provincia.lecco.it
RegioneLombardia
Raccolta
Museale
Regione
Lombardia