Villa Melita

History: This property dates back to relatives of both the Borromeo and Medici families, one of whom, a man of arms, took part in the Battle of Lepanto as an artillery commander. In 1684, he was decorated with the title of Grand Duke of San Gabrio and Grandee of Spain. Towards the mid-18th century this distinguished gentleman’s grandson, purchased the Villa for his children. The property was then adapted to the baroque style as it currently appears, summoning excellent painters from the school of Tiepolo and expert stucco-workers.

At the start of the Second World War, important collections from a distinguished Palazzo in Milan were placed in the villa: lutes, French tapestries, porcelains, and part of the arms collection of the family ancestry. In addition, the bedroom of this famous Milanese Palazzo where Napoleon stayed during his first Italian campaign was transported from Milan and reassembled. The apartments of the abbots Parini (1729 - 1799 ) and Frisi (1728 - 1784 ), tutors to the property’s ancestry, are entirely preserved on the top floor of the villa. Description: Words fail to describe this 17th C. lakeside Palazzo. To stay here gives you the opportunity to live and breathe its history. The Palazzo, with its own private mooring and gated steps from the lake, is furnished throughout with antique furniture and art. The 6 bedroom suites have lakeside views and modern bathrooms, but are decorated in keeping with the period. There are stunning gardens, a superb swimming pool and the Palazzo is fully staffed with maid service and private chef. Over the centuries the lake has been an important waterway, with numerous towns springing up along its shores that still today, centuries later, retain all their beauty. In the 1700s and 1800s, the particular combination of these climatic and landscape features induced many aristocratic families to build villas and gardens of great historical importance and rare beauty in the most charming points along the lake, some of which are open to visitors. The Villa is comprised of a main body and two lateral wings. Although retaining the original architectural structure and furnishings, the wings have been remodelled according to the law to make six mini-suites and a double bedroom available to guests, all with bathrooms. The top two floors of the central construction are designed for a museum preserving the furniture and objects as the original owners had left them. The ground floor of the central part features a large, luminous double entrance room, a large living room flanked by two small drawing rooms, a dining room and a modern, spacious kitchen. The first and second floors of the central part are used as a museum and contain the apartments, furniture and objects collected by the owners. Guests may use both a formal garden in front of the villa and a large garden in the rear that includes the area set aside for the swimming pool. The Villa is divided in 3 main areas: Renting Side – This is made up of the whole property, except the top two floors of the central wing (where the Museum is located). Museum – This area is not included in the rental. The first and second floor in the central area is alarmed 24 hours/day. You must ask permission if you desire to visit the owners personal Museum. Custodian house Renting Side: Entrance into the property is through a private gate, up a twisting road which brings you to the back entrance of the villa. There is ample parking space for a number of cars. The parking area leads up to the large pool garden with ample space for sunbathing and a gazebo for relaxation. There is also a small kitchen unit with several burners and a small refrigerator, as well as a full bathroom with shower at the pool deck. The vegetable and herb garden, situated above the pool are used to cook meals for the guests. Entrance into the house brings you into the foyer and through to the other side, where the immense, English stone garden is divided into 4 subsections. The grand foyer enjoys marvellous fresco walls and high ceilings, beautiful marble sculptures and urns, antiques, marble floors, golden candelabra, and amazing views out onto the garden and lake. To the left of the main foyer is the fresco living room with various sitting areas and tea tables, beautiful china vases, sterling silver tea ware, a piano, and marvellous lake views. The central Murano glass chandelier hangs 12-feet from the ceiling. To the right of the foyer is the main dining room with an oval dining table big enough for 18 guests. Sterling silver candelabra line the room. The left wing of the ground floor holds 2 bedrooms (a floral twin with antique furniture, great lake views, and an en-suite bath with tub/shower; a beautiful baroque style double with red velvet Baldachin bed, fireplace, parquet floors, antique furniture, and en-suite with bathtub and powder table with great lake & garden views). There is also a ½ bath with powder room in the corridor. The right wing of the ground floor also has 2 bedrooms and a study. The first is a double with lake views, antique marble fireplace, Murano glass chandelier, and en-suite with bathtub. The second is a beautiful, green velvet Baldachin double with parquet floors, sitting area, antique furniture, and en-suite with separate bath & shower and powder table with great lake views. There is a TV room with DVD player and VHS, Murano glass chandeliers, beautiful marble floors, and fresco walls. The TV room boarders an informal tea room with square table and chairs for 4, a couch, and a very large class case where all the china plates are displayed. The kitchen, located off of the formal dining room, is spacious but simple. There is a long dining table for 10, a double refrigerator/freezer with ice maker, slicer, 6-range stovetop, double oven, and great lake & garden views. There is also a storage unit with refrigerator. The bedrooms on the first floor are situated in the right wing. The right wing has 2 (a twin with small tea area with table & chairs, antique furniture, parquet floors, and en-suite with bathtub; a large, red velvet Baldachin double with sitting room and antique furniture, marble fire place, parquet floors, Murano glass chandelier, and en-suite with separate bath & shower and powder table) and the left wing also has 2. The 2 bedrooms on the left wing Bedrooms: There are six (6) bedrooms as follows: Three king size bedrooms, each with a living room area and bathroom One king size bedroom with private bathroom Two twin-bedded bedrooms, each with living room area and bathroom All bedrooms and the studio enjoy a telephone with direct line to staff (waiters and custodians), TV and Internet connection, safe Common Areas: Main entrance located in front of villa Entrance in back of villa Large living room Dining room for up to 18 guests TV Room Studio with PC and Fax Machine Bathroom Two staff bathrooms Large, modern kitchen Piano, CD Player, Satellite TV, High-Speed Internet connection with PC and printer, External Sides: Large, Italian garden with panoramic views over Lake Como situated at the front of the property Large swimming pool (13 meters x 7 meters) with deck chairs, umbrellas, and gazebo.