Villa Bernasconi


One of the most outstanding stile liberty (Italian art nouveau) villas in the lakes area, Villa Bernasconi was built by successful textile merchant Davide Bernasconi in 1906. It bears all the classic elements, with use of ceramics, stained class, wrought iron and, a comparative novelty, cement. The floral relief decoration on the exterior displays silkworms, moths and mulberry leaves – a direct advertisement of where Bernasconi's wealth came from.

The local town hall has restored the long-abandoned interior of the building, which opens periodically for exhibitions – including shows related to stile liberty architecture. Ask for the latest at the tourist office, handily located next door.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Giardino Della Valle

0.59 MILES

On the east side of Cernobbio, this small but lush garden makes a fine setting for a stroll. What was once an illegal refuse site has been dramatically…

2. Villa Sucota

0.85 MILES

A grand villa overlooking the lake, northwest of the centre, Villa Sucota was built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It has been home to various…

3. Villa del Grumello

1.03 MILES

This picturesque villa with extensive gardens is generally open only for special events (conferences, weddings and the like). The grounds, however, open…

4. Villa Olmo

1.32 MILES

Set facing the lake, the grand creamy facade of neoclassical Villa Olmo is one of Como's biggest landmarks. The extravagant structure was built in 1728 in…

5. Villa Gallia

1.54 MILES

This 1615 villa was the summerhouse of abbot Marco Gallio and is one of the oldest landmark villas in Como. Now owned by the provincial government, it is…

6. Monumento ai Caduti

1.56 MILES

This monument to Italy's WWI war dead is a classic example of fascist-era architecture and dates to 1931.

7. Villa Saporiti

1.56 MILES

An 18th-century lakeside villa, now owned by the provincial government and closed to the public.

8. Tempio Voltiano

1.57 MILES

The photogenic lakeside Tempio Voltiano was built in 1927. This neoclassical temple is now a museum devoted to Como-born ­electric-­battery inventor…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "italy/the-italian-lakes/cernobbio/attractions/villa-bernasconi/a/poi-sig/1369954/1339542",
      "position": "superzone"
    }