Over three hundred years of great collecting distinguish the history of Villa Carlotta, a place where art dialogues with nature in a landscape context of great charm. Overlooking the shores of Lake Como, the villa was built at the end of the seventeenth century by the Clerici marquises of Milan and is famous both for the art collections preserved inside and for the vast botanical garden that surrounds it (70,000 square meters).
In the intention of the founders, the Villa was called to play a pivotal role in the cultural and economic life of the area. Even today Villa Carlotta interprets this spirit with a broad program of cultural activities that attracts residents, scholars, schools and international tourism.