Day 5 - Villa Carlotta

We were woken several times during the night by the rain lashing down and it was still pretty awful when we finally got up.  

But we're only here once so we can't sit around in the apartment and actually the only vaguely nice room is our bedroom anyway, so we decided to arm ourselves with coats and umbrellas and head for Villa Carlotta which is at the far end of Tremezzo and considered one of the most beautiful of Como's villas.   By the time we'd had breakfast, the rain had eased quite a bit and it was fairly dry for our walk into town.  I don't think I've mentioned how clear the lake is - the bottom is easily visible and often little fish can be seen too.

Looking out past the Grand Hotel's pool and taxi rank, the mountains opposite are barely visible.

The Grand Hotel's covered parking area is tiny, but they make the most of it by having two tiered parking. 

Villa Carlotta was built in the late 17th century and following numerous changes in ownership (including one of Napoleon Bonaparte's chums) it was confiscated during WW1 by the Italian state and its management entrusted to the foundation trust established by Royal Decree in 1927.  It has a notable botanical garden (not so notable when it's pouring down with rain like today) and houses numerous exhibitions of artworks throughout the year.

Once again I was given an OAP concession ticket, although we clearly said 1+1 - I think it's end of season and they're just grateful for any visitors.

Unfortunately the rain started again more or less as soon as we entered the gardens, so some of the pictures are a bit fuzzy.

Being a "botanical" garden, there are not as many flowering plants as I would like.

But there were a few fantastic ones, like this Erythrina crista galli which is the national flower of both Argentina and Uruguay.

There are a few patches of colour.

Including ever faithful Impatiens (Bizzy Lizzy)

The Tree Fern walk looked incredible but it was raining far too hard for us to venture up it.

The gardens were very well laid out, with clearly marked paths in a one way system, but given the persistent rain it was rather slippery underfoot.  The bamboo section was amazing, with many different species growing.

There were a couple of old buildings in the process of being refurbished to show how they would have been in xxxx but as they were still unfinished we couldn't go in.

We also gave the olive grove a miss as it was planted on a rather steep slope.

 

Yet another shot of Villa Mezzi on the opposite side of the lake.

Inside there were a few sculptures etc but nothing of particular interest.

I seem to remember this painting depicted Romeo and Juliet, but then again I may have just made that up!

A few shots of the misty lake from the upstairs terrace. 

As you can see the weather had got considerably worse since the last shot of Villa Mezzi.

Looking straight down to the formal laid out gardens below you'd think it was hardly raining.

"I ring this bell when I want silence"

One of the modern art installations - a do-it-yourself crucifixion.

I'm not sure who this is - Albert Einstein or one of the Marx Brothers?  Actually it’s neither, but Gino di Dominicis, an artist who in 1971 wandered through exhibition halls wearing a black hat, carrying a furry tiger and a billboard saying “What does death have to do with it” – his take on achieving immortality through art.

And lastly a few photos taken at the front of the building.

We thought these little terrapins were stone.

But this one definitely moved.

We were quite soggy by now so decided to wander back to our little flat.  Just down the alleyway from us are large gates which appear closed whenever we pass so I've not bothered to read any of the signage.  Today they were ajar and I realised it was a cemetery so of course we had a little wander around.

Isn't she beautiful.

The rest of the day was spent playing cards, reading and trying to finish up the very large chicken.