Villa Bagatti Valsecchi

On the mountain road leading from Menaggio, on the west bank of Lake Como, to Lugano and Switzerland is the hamlet of Cardano in Grandola, a group of houses constructed mainly of old gray local stone. Almost unnoticeable in a widening of the road is the courtyard of a graceful villa; its elegant faVade is adorned with a simple gray and white design characteristic of these parts. This is the country home of Bagatti Valsecchi family. Baron Pier Fausto Bagatti Valsecchi is an architect who lives and practices in Milan. He and his wife dedicate their leisure time to an amazing garden initiated early in this century by the baron’s father. A former president of the Lombardy Horticultural Society, Baron Pasino Bagatti Valsecchi had the magnitude of spirit and imagination to perceive the natural potential of the property. Out of the sheer rock has emerged a striking landscape of colourful perpendiculars and levels, perpetuated and enlarged by the present baron and baroness. A wonderland of pines, maples, larches, yews, an ancient cedar and, in various seasons, clumps of many-colored flowers, it was landscaped by Baron Pasino Bagatti Valsecchi. Everything draws the eye to the steep forest on the other side of the valley, and the ear to the rushing stream below. Trees are planted in strategic spots to give the most colorful and diverse impressions, and the variety of subtle greens in striking. There is no attempt to distort or conquer nature, but a sense of going along with it, fitting in.