Things to do and see in Moltrasio on Como Lake

March 7, 2014

Moltrasio is a small but very pretty town situated on the western shore of Como Lake, about 9 km from the homonymous province. Land of partisan raids during the Second World War and romance smugglers traffic with Switzerland after the war, today Moltrasio is most famous for its beautiful villas built with gray stones typical of the area.

The most important villa in Moltrasio is Villa Passalacqua, commissioned by the Odescalchi family in the place where once stood the Monastery of the Humiliated (Monastero delle Umiliate) and then sold to the Count Andrea Passalacqua, who enlarged it in 1787, based on a design by Felice Soave. This villa is located on top of a large terraced garden with fantastic views over the lake. Between 1829 and 1833, it was home to the famous composer Vincenzo Bellini, regular at the place since in those years he also lived in the neoclassical Villa Erker Hocevar.

There are other villas just as interesting: Villa Fasola, at the beginning of the hamlet of Vergonzano; Villa Pizzo with its waterfalls and fountains; Villa Le Rose, famous for its gardens and for having hosted the British statesman Winston Churchill during a holiday on Como Lake; and finally, Villa Fontanella, once home to the late fashion designer Gianni Versace, who had recreated the original atmosphere of his creative style in the halls of this sober eighteenth century building.

Other attractions of Moltrasio are the Church of St. Martin, which houses many relics including an alleged fragment of the crown of Christ, called the Holy Thorn, the Oratory of San Rocco, the monument dedicated to Vincenzo Bellini and the Church of St. Agatha.

You can easily reach Moltrasio by car via highway A9 Milano-Como-Chiasso, exit at Como Nord and then following Argegno-Menaggio. Alternatively, you can opt for boats and hydrofoils of the Como-Bellano and Como-Colico ways that dock directly in the town and offer a picturesque scenic trip on the lake.

These are just some of our luxury properties in Italy that are available for weekly rentals: do not hesitate to contact us for any request!

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