Varenna is situated at the feet of a rocky promontory dominating the centre of the Lake Como, above which sits an ancient castle.
The town, whose origins date back to Roman times, has a few signs of its medieval past: the church of S. Giovanni Battista (X-XI cent.), the church S.Giorgio (XII cent.). Near the lake, you can visit the beautiful Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi.
The river Fiumelatte entered the Guiness Records: it is the shortest Italian river, only 250-m long and it runs only for six months a year.
Villa Monastero, in Varenna on the shore of Lake Como, represents one of the most interesting eclectic-style residences, a beautiful villa with a garden of great scenic impact. Villa Monastero was actually born from the continual restoration of the ancient Cistercian monastery dating from around 1208. Restoration works and repairs have added functional and decorative elements without destroying the traces of the building’s vicissitudes.
The garden represents probably the most famous attraction of Villa Monastero.
It is a real botanical garden along the eastern lakeside, on the coast that goes from Varenna to Fiumelatte. The garden is particularly interesting both for its historical value and for the richness and variety of plants, offering relax and wonderful views on the lake to visitors.
Open from March to November.
