Historic Villas
They are the most splendid, sumptuous and magnificent the Lake Garda area has to offer - the historical villas and palazzi on the lake shore.
Villa Guarienti - Punta S.Vigilio - Garda
The peninsula Punta San Vigilio at the gulf of Garda houses the Villa Guarienti, also known as Villa Brenzoni. The building, which dates back to the 16th century, seems to be the work of the Veronese architect Michele Sanmicheli, who is also responsible for various other projects in the area. The villa, commissioned by the Venetian Agostino Brenzoni, is surrounded by a garden, in which cypresses, olive and lemon trees abound; trees which perfectly represent the vegetation on Lake Garda.
An inn with a lake view is also part of the building, as are a small church, probably built before the villa, a building with a double loggia and a lake view as well as an adjacent small harbour. The Villa Guarienti boasts a restaurant and a hotel and is open to visitors.
The complex is within easy reach of the main road which runs along the eastern shore of Lake Garda, but also from Lake Garda itself, given that the small harbour is still operating today.
Villa Albertini and Villa Carlotti Canossa - Garda
Continuing south, in Garda, two historical residences of considerable artistic and architectural interest are a must-see: Villa Albertini and Villa Carlotti Canossa.
The first building, Villa Albertini, dates back to the second half of the 16th century, when the Becelli family commissioned the project. The villa is now owned by the Albertini family, who gave the building its name. The residence is only a few steps from Lake Garda; its entrance and gardens are situated at the Gardesana road (SR249) on the eastern shore of Lake Garda. Renovation works have been carried out of late to repair the damage caused by recent earthquakes. A large park on the hill, dominating Lake Garda, is also part of the estate.
A bit further along the Gardesana road in the direction of San Vigilio, is the Villa Carlotti Canossa. The 16th-century building was renovated and enlarged by Veronese architect Giacomo Franco in the 19th century. The residence has a great location close to Lake Garda and is surrounded by green due to its garden and adjacent park.
Both residences are privately owned and not open to the public.
Villa Guerrieri Rizzardi - Bardolino
Villa Guerrieri Rizzardi is located in the heart of Bardolino on the site formerly occupied by patrician houses. Even though the site has seen the construction of a new building, the garden with a lake view has kept its 16th-century structure.
This was despite a replanning by Giuseppe Jappelli shortly before the middle of the 19th century. Visitors can explore its wonders: cedars, bay trees and magnolias, betel nut palms and ginkgos, not to mention vines and orchards.
The Villa Guerrieri Rizzardi is part of the agricultural business Guerrieri Rizzardi which has vineyards covering an area of 40 hectares between Bardolino and Cavaion and produce the Bardolino and Chiaretto wines. Before your visit, recommend the website of the agricultural business before your visit.
guerrieririzzardi.it