Villa Monastero, Varenna (LC)

The Villa originated in the first half of the 17th century, when Lelio Mornico transformed a Cistercian nunnery, already documented at the beginning of the 13th century and suppressed by Pius V in 1567, into a patrician residence. The Oratory, rebuilt in 1675 and corresponding today to the “Sala Fermi”, remained open for worship until 1897, when the property was bought by the German shipowner Walter Kees. Over the course of twelve years he carried out extensive works, including the arrangement of the north wing and the new Gatehouse building, giving the complex its present appearance, with the fin de siècle fitting-out of the interiors and the expansion of the park, then enriched with decorative elements and exotic species.

The designed works, divided into three lots (concerning the remediation, compliance and reorganisation of the buildings of the Foresteria (guesthouse) and the North Wing, the consolidation of the lakeside walls, and the restoration and functional upgrading of the Gatehouse building), are part of the works programme undertaken, with the contribution of the Fondazione Cariplo, by the Province of Lecco in agreement with the CNR, owner of the Villa since 1977, for a more appropriate use and the full enhancement of the monumental complex.

The interior works were aimed at improving the hosting capacity of the existing spaces, with the creation of adequate support services for the cultural events promoted by the Foundation set up by the public body entrusted with the management of the structure since 1996.

One of the most delicate problems, given the outstanding landscape and botanical value of the garden, was the installation of the new electrical substation. It was solved by renovating, without changing its present size and volumetric layout, one of the greenhouses along the retaining wall of the road to Varenna. The structural works of the first lot, comprising the Foresteria and the North Wing, made necessary by conditions of structural precariousness and by the need to adapt to the expected service loads, mainly concern the timber floor structures and the standing masonry, which showed signs of rotation and displacement towards the lake.

Gallery

Restauro di Villa Monastero, Varenna: corridoio interno con cornici in marmo e scala sullo sfondo
Restauro di Villa Monastero, Varenna: finestre ad arco con palme e loggia interna vista lago
Restauro di Villa Monastero, Varenna: cortile con fontana a tre vasche e ingresso coperto di edera
Restauro di Villa Monastero, Varenna: facciata sul lago con loggia ad arcate e tetto in coppi
Restauro di Villa Monastero, Varenna: resti archeologici a confronto con sala voltata restaurata

Next project

Restauro del santuario di Santa Maria del Lavello, Calolziocorte: facciata esterna della chiesa

Monastery of Santa Maria del Lavello, Calolziocorte (LC)

Explore project