Located in Cernobbio, right on the shores of Lake Como, Villa Erba is a 19th-century villa with a pretty interesting story. It was once the summer residence of the Erba family, who were big in the pharmaceutical business (so they clearly had some cash to splash).
Now, it’s a sought-after venue for events, from high-end weddings to corporate gatherings. And I can see why.
Now, you might recognize Villa Erba from somewhere. It’s been featured in a few films, most notably Ocean’s Twelve. Remember that scene at the villa? Yep, that was here.
Villa Erba Description
The architecture is impressive. Think neoclassical style with a touch of grandeur. It’s got all the classic elements: symmetrical design, imposing columns, and elaborate details. It looks like it was plucked straight out of a period drama.
The gardens are also worth mentioning. They stretch down to the lake and are meticulously maintained, with perfectly manicured lawns, vibrant flowerbeds, and mature trees. They resemble the ones in Villa Melzi.
Lake Como Villas Top Experiences
What to Expect at Villa Erba
One thing to keep in mind is that Villa Erba isn’t always open to the public for general tours. It’s best to check their website or contact them beforehand to see if there are any scheduled openings or events. If you happen to be there during an open day or event, definitely take the opportunity to go inside if you can!
It’s often used for private events, conferences, and, yes, those super-fancy weddings you see in magazines. But, even if you can’t get inside, the exterior and the grounds are worth checking out.
Ancient Villa
The main hall, the atrium, is particularly impressive. It’s huge and filled with light, making it perfect for anything from drinks receptions to concerts. The ground floor rooms open onto terraces and the lakeside garden, creating a great flow for indoor-outdoor events.
Apparently, the whole ground floor, including the atrium and five other rooms, can hold up to 450 seated guests. They even have a ballroom that can accommodate up to 500 people for dancing, and a smaller room suitable for more intimate dinners.
The upper floor, which used to be the sleeping quarters, has been converted into meeting rooms and offices. They’ve even got a cloakroom and professional kitchens, so they’re really set up for all sorts of occasions.
Secular Park
Let me tell you about the park at Villa Erba. It’s not just some patch of grass stuck next to a fancy building; it’s a proper, mature park, full of interesting trees and plants. It’s been carefully curated over the years, and it shows. The official description calls it a “rich botanical collection,” and I reckon that’s a fair assessment.
You’ll find everything from common European trees like beech and oak to more exotic species brought in from all corners of the world. There are Himalayan cedars, American maples, and even a ginkgo biloba – a plant that’s practically a living fossil!
What I also appreciated is how the park is integrated with the villa and the lake. There are paths that wind through the greenery, offering some fantastic views of Lake Como. You’ll find some interesting features, like topiary (those sculpted shrubs that look like something out of a fairytale) and various flowerbeds that add splashes of color.
Ancient Horse Track
This area, known as the “ex Galoppatoio” (literally “ex galloping track”), used to be where horses would, well, gallop. Back in the day, when Villa Erba was a private residence, this was their private racetrack. Now, it’s been repurposed into a versatile event space.
One of the clever things about this area is that it can function independently of the main exhibition center and the historic villa itself. So, they could have a big conference going on inside the villa and a completely separate outdoor event happening on the old horse track, all at the same time.
Congress center
The Congress Center itself is a modern piece of architecture, designed by the renowned Mario Bellini. He took inspiration from the old greenhouses you find around Lake Como – those elegant glass and steel structures – and created something that blends history and innovation in a rather slick way.
This place is huge, covering over 10,000 square meters. It’s made up of a central circular pavilion and three separate wings: Lario, Cernobbio, and Regina. We’re talking everything from big international conferences with up to 1,500 attendees in the main pavilion, to smaller meetings, exhibitions, and even parties. They can fit over 500 stands if you’re planning an expo.
The central pavilion is particularly cool. It’s designed for large-scale events, with excellent acoustics, making it suitable for conferences, concerts, and even late-night DJ sets. It’s a versatile space.
The origin of Villa Erba
Believe it or not, the story starts with a monastery. We’re talking way back in 966 AD, give or take. Apparently, Cernobbio itself might even get its name from this old “cenobio”, which is another word for monastery. So, for centuries, Benedictine nuns lived and worked here.
Fast forward to 1785, and things change. Emperor Joseph II of Austria, in one of his sweeping reforms, shuts down a bunch of monasteries, including this one. The property is then sold off to some wool manufacturers, the Guaita family, who start making changes, including knocking down the old church.
The property changed hands a couple more times before it landed with the Erba family in 1893. Now, this is where things get interesting. Luigi Erba, who owned the place, decided to build a brand new villa in 1903, right there in the old park. He hired architects Savoldi and Borsani, and they created the neoclassical masterpiece we see today.
The Erba family owned the villa until 1986, when it was sold to become the exhibition and congress center it is today. Architect Mario Bellini designed “Le Serre”, a modern glass structure within the park, in 1988.
