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Living: Villa Passalaqua. Moltrasio's Palace

We could call it a palace rather than a villa. With its formidable elegance and 18th century sobriety, Villa Passalacqua towers upon the hill above Moltrasio. Its internal and external beauty has been restored to its former splendour thanks to its recent renovation. In fact these works have been so successful that the villa may now be admired as one of the most representative examples of that refined building style enriching the Lake Como shores with architectural gems over the last centuries.
Yet what makes Villa Passalacqua the most important edifice in Moltrasio is not simply its royal appearance and proportions. Nor is it only the many treasures hidden in its numerous rooms. Nor is it merely its green Italian garden rolling down to the lakeside. Enveloping the villa in an aura of greatness is also its history. Indeed, since its construction at the end of the 1700s, it was a crossroads for many personalities of great imminence in artistic or historical terms. Just two of the famous guests to stay at the villa were the composer Vincenzo Bellini and the Milan-born poet Carlo Porta.

A little history
The villa was commissioned by the Odescalchi family during the 16th century and was built on the spot where the Umiliate monastery once stood. It passed into the hands of Count Andrea Passalacqua in 1797, who entrusted the project for its extension to the architect Felice Soave. Thus the small yet noble villa became a large mansion of 3000 square metres divided into three storeys.

The interior
The coats of arms of the two noble families (Odescalchi and Passalacqua) are still clearly visible, and embellish several cornices within the building. In 1790 the neoclassical painter Andrea Appiani (1754-1817) was called in to decorate the walls. Some of his frescoes have been very well preserved and may still be admired, and these include the prized Ascensione adorning the dining room. The recent restoration, carried out six years ago, has enabled the conservation of many other original 18th century elements, such as the bronze doors and many examples of pictorial decoration.
The villa comprises: 11 bedrooms, 9 of which are double suites; 8 bathrooms; 2 drawing rooms; a pizzeria; a cinema theatre; 2 dining rooms; a gym; stables (today used as a garage); and a lodge with 4 double rooms, 3 single rooms, 6 bathrooms, a large kitchen and a living room.

Bellini by the lake
The composer Vincenzo Bellini is one of the many illustrious names to have stayed in Moltrasio. He was a guest of the Passalacqua family between 1829 and 1833, and it is claimed that his La straniera and La sonnambula were most likely composed here. He also developed a close friendship with Giuditta Turina Cantù (owner of the nearby Villa Salterio-Salvi), becoming infatuated with her.

The villa may be rented for receptions, ceremonies and special events.
Reservations may be made by visiting the website www.thevillapassalacqua.com, clicking on åcontactπ and sending the request.