villino san remigio

General

When Stendhal described Lake Maggiore as having “unequalled loveliness” I am certain he was actually describing the majestic 17th Century Villino San Remigio.  This elegant villa dominates what seems the entire western side of the lake, as she looks down upon the silk-blue waters and the haze of Switzerland ahead.

This villa is a masterpiece of both Italian architecture and natural beauty and offers one of the best viewpoints on the lake.   To the ground floor the baroque style porticoes wrap around the villa offering the fortunate visitor a different viewpoint of the lake from each and every room.  And the views only become more impressive as one climbs further up this three storey villa. 

Stepping inside can be compared to a visit to an Italian historical monument with high reaching ceilings, a grand solid oak staircase, wonderful parquet oak flooring and beautiful period and antique furnishings.  However, the grandeur of a bygone era combines to create a wonderful and comfortable space in which to relax and rest your mind.  All mod-cons have been considered for your stay.  The space is immense with each and every room offering a private and peaceful place.

Stendhal clearly spent many hours amongst the beautiful gardens of Villino, and with some of the life-size Italian mythical statues to converse with.  I am sure he whiled away the hours admiring the large stone urns scattered throughout the grounds that brim with blues and lilacs, walking amidst the carpet of pinks, reds and oranges that border the immaculately kept expanses of lawn.  He may well have brushed past the various rose bushes and found one of the many secluded picnic spots – each one offering a different perspective of the lake itself. 

And did he not discover the ancient Roman Chapel that lies hidden amongst the trees?  Licensed for Catholic wedding ceremonies, it completes this most magnificent estate making it a perfect venue for those small and intimate weddings.
The garden tumbles down, tier upon tier to a fantastic swimming pool.  Again, nothing has been forgotten with changing rooms offering hot showers and fridge to keep the Prosecco cool!  Continue down the tiers* to the lake road where a pedestrian crossing provides direct access to the lake itself. 

Shrouded by trees and foliage is the secluded house-keepers cottage.

Location

Although Lake Maggiore claims to be the largest of the lakes (maggiore meaning ‘greatest’) it is in fact the second largest lake after Lake Garda at 54km long with a coastline over 150km.  It is a deep glacial basin formed over 12 million years ago and crosses the border between Switzerland and Italy.

Over the centuries it has been the inspiration for many a writer, poet and artist and during the 18th and 19th centuries Maggiore became synonymous with high style and class and home to the grand styles of the epoch Art Nouveau and its Italian counterpart Liberty.

Sat amidst the lake itself are the Borromean Islands; a collection of small private islands that are available by water taxi and we suggest you spend time exploring a least three of these.  Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola Pescatori have been collected over the years by the Borromeo banking family from Milan. 

Isola Bella is famed for her sumptuous palace; baroque in style she is full to the rafters of 16th and 19th Italian works of art, antiques and treasures.  It also holds a place in history as the venue for the 1935 Stresa conference that aimed to restore peace to Europe during the 2nd World War.  It is said that Bonaparte and Josephine also spent a night or two here.

The gardens of Isola Madre were designed upon themes of an English stately home and offer visitors a wonderful and vibrant experience and you may meet a white peacock meandering around the grounds too.

Isola Pescatori is the only island with a permanent population and is in essence a fishing village.  Head here for a true fish supper!

Back on the lakeshore and the town of Fondotoce is home to Casa della Resistanza, the Resistance Museum.  A sombre but poignant experience, it is the location where 43 partisans were rounded up in June 1944 and shot dead.  The wall now bears the names of the 1,200 Italian partisans who were killed during the war.

The gardens of Villa Taranto are considered one of Europe’s finest botanical gardens and are filled with over 20,000 species.  Whilst the Monastery of Santa Caterina del Sasso on the southeast shore is filled with an array of wonderful frescoes as it clings to the cliff-face and offers spectacular views across the lake.

Lake Maggiore offers a multitude of walks, bike trails, boat trips, villas and gardens.  Water sports can be found in abundance including sailing, windsurfing and canoeing.  There is the Lake Maggiore Adventure Park if you have energy to burn whilst a visit to Stresa with its generations of exclusivity and collection of shops and restaurants is also worth a visit.

The rest of the lakes are also to be explored; Orta, Lugano, Como and Garda, whilst the elegance and historic centre of Milan is just over an hour’s drive from the lake itself.

Layout

Ground floor accommodation:

• Entrance hallway
• L shaped sitting room with open fireplace
• Dining room for up to 16 guests
• Billiards room
• Breakfast room
• Galley Kitchen with two ovens and dishwasher, doors to outside barbecue area

First floor:

• Master double bedroom with a period fireplace, beautiful arched doors onto the terrace with views overlooking the gardens and lake beyond.  Also with:
• En-suite bathroom with a Jacuzzi bath, separate shower, bidet and WC
• Double bedroom with arched doors to the terrace and:
• En-suite bathroom with separate shower, bidet and WC
• Wonderful sitting room furnished with antiques and doors to the terrace
• Double bedroom with arched doors to the terrace
• Family bathroom
• Twin bedroom offering 1 single and 1 French style bed, again with doors to the terrace

Second floor:

• Double bedroom with doors to the terrace
• Shower room
• Expansive Bathroom
• Double bedroom with doors to the terrace
• Double bedroom
• Twin/double bedroom
• Expansive bathroom

Within the grounds:

• Beautiful swimming pool furnished with umbrellas and sun-beds
• Changing rooms with WC, sink, two hot showers and a fridge
• Barbecue
• Several dining areas throughout
• Extensive parking
• Private and secure wrought iron gates
• Roman Catholic Chapel

*We advise all guests of Villino San Remigio to take care during hours of darkness when using the garden steps as they are not lit.