Villa Il Balbiano for Weddings on Lake Como

Venue description

Villa Il Balbiano, located on Lake Como in northern Italy, is a 17th-century villa, a hidden gem straight out of a fairy-tale, one of the grandest and oldest properties on the western shore of Lake Como, a warm and characterful place to organize your Italian wedding. The historical villa provides spectacular panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding mountains that can be seen from the elegant lakeside garden with its immaculate lawn and picturesque manicured topiaries framing the view.

The façade of Villa Il Balbiano, elegant and simple with its grey stone decorations, mirrors itself in the waters of Lake Como. All around the eye wanders on the gardens embellished by statues and fountains. Arriving from the old Roman road called “Strada Regina” (royal road) you are welcomed by a water-lily pond surrounded by blue irises in full bloom, leading to the sumptuous entrance alley bordered by box hedges and cypresses. 

The owner who gave its peculiar character to Villa del Balbiano was undoubtedly Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini, a lover of arts and literature, who built also the nearby Villa del Balbianello.

At Villa Il Balbiano Cardinal Durini dwelled for about ten years, from 1787 to 1796. He invited artists, writers, poets, and musicians and entertained them with elegant parties, banquets and balls. The finest poems were read out, the newest music was played at Il Balbiano. The magnificent halls were decorated with baroque frescoes, putti, medallions and trompe-l’oeil effects, a feast for the eyes that can still be admired at the Villa.

The Villa nowadays is beautifully restored preserving the elegance and architecture of the Baroque era while the interiors are filled with the finest objets d’art and antique furniture.

Thanks to the private pier it is easy for the Bride to arrive onboard a wooden Riva boat. Couples may decide to have a photo tour on the lake during the cocktail hour or leave by boat at the end of the party to start their honeymoon.

Villa Balbiano wedding: ceremony and reception

Symbolic ceremonies are generally organized lakeside right in front of the Villa façade, allowing the Bride a grand entrance from its main door. Cocktail and reception in the connected gardens and by the pool or indoors for max 60 guests. The outdoor area is suitable for groups of max 200 guests.

Accommodation

12 guests can be accommodated in the Main Villa, other 8 guests in the wing. There are also 3 + 2 bedrooms in an independent Villino and 1 bedroom in the annex for a total of 30 guests. The Villa can be rented for a wedding with or without the rooms, minimum stay is 2 nights.

Open

For couples wishing to have a Villa Balbiano wedding on Lake Como in Italy, this venue is open all year round.

Discover the most suggestive Italian venues, chosen by the couples that have planned their destination wedding with us: Top Wedding Venues in Italy.