Villa Olmo is the most famous historic villa in Como. Commissioned by Marquis Innocenzo Odescalchi from the neoclassical architect Simone Cantoni, a leading exponent from a family of master builders and architects from Ticino, who transformed Como into one of the driving forces of the Enlightenment in Italy, through his creation of buildings where the aesthetic value of good Enlightenment style taste was evident. The villa was designed as a summer residence for the Marquis. The villa takes its name from an elm tree planted in the park; today however, the tree no longer exists. Villa Olmo has hosted personalities like Napoleon Bonaparte and Ugo Foscolo. Today, it is home to numerous highly prestigious art exhibitions that attract thousands of visitors from Italy and abroad. Works by Rubens and other Flemish painters, Chagall, Kandinsky, Malevich, Magritte, Picasso and many more have been exhibited in the villa. Organized cultural events, shows and concerts take place in the garden, which overlooks the lake.
Villa:
– from monday to saturday during special events
9.00-12.30 14.00-17.00
opening times of the park:
– winter season
7.30-19.00
– summer seaon
7.30-23.00
