Villa del Balbianello, Lenno, Como, Italy

Villa del Balbianello is located next to Lake Como, Italy. In the spring of 2006, the movie Casino Royale was filmed in front of the villa. The villa doubles as a hospital where James Bond (Daniel Craig) is recovering, together with Vesper (Eva Green) and where the Swiss banker comes to get the code to transfer the money.

Built for Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini at the end of the XVIII century, the Villa stands on the tip of a steep promontory overlooking Lake Como, almost opposite Bellagio. Today, the villa has the appearance desired by its last owner, the explorer Guido Monzino, with a rich collection of Chinese, African and pre-Colombian art, precious English and French furniture of the 1700s and the small museum with documents and mementoes of his expeditions. Yet the true masterpiece is the panoramic terraced garden dominated by the elegant "loggia" with three arches rising on the highest point of the promontory.

The same villa can also be seen in Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones.

The Villa is now owned by Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano (FAI). A private, non-profit trust, FAI receives sites of historic, artistic and naturalist value through donations, bequests or loans for use, restores them, opens them to the public and ensures that everyone can enjoy them.

Address
Via Comoedia - Lenno, COMO

Opening times
Mid-March - Mid-November: 10 am - 6 pm
Open every day, except Mondays and Wednesday (unless public holidays).
Last entrance time: half an hour before closing.

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Visit for route descriptions and more information the official website (see below).