Ready to start planning your dream photoshoot in Italy?
Villa Monastero is one the gems of Lake Como. Located in Varenna, Province of Lecco, it is a short boat ride from Bellagio. While most people choose to stay in Bellagio for a photo session, including the historical town and Villa Melzi d’Eril (here you have an example), Josefine wanted something different.
Working from home, taking her job everywhere she goes, Josefine was enjoying a long trip to Italy and Europe with her boyfriend. She wanted to have portraits taken in Lake Como but she was unsure about locations. Lake Como is such a huge area, you need to plan in advance to make the most of it.
We ended up planning a shoot in Bellagio, but also a boat ride and a visit to the incredible Villa Monastero on Lake Como, south of Varenna.
An adventurous boat ride on Lake Como from Bellagio to Varenna
The boat ride was quite the adventure. The day was rainy and windy, even though it was June and the weather was overall as warm as you would expect in the Summer in Italy. Luckily Josefine had no problem with the boat riding the waves and she looked perfect in her white dress, styled with pearl earrings and a pearl necklace. Her long dark hair flowing in the wind, a few drops of rain and incredible views made for an extraordinary ride on Lake Como, direction Villa Monastero.
Villa Monastero and its incredible staircase on Lake Como
We arrived at the private getty of Villa Monastero. When you book a photoshoot at the villa you have to contact them and book in advance. You can get there via boat and there will be someone there to take care of you the whole time. You can contact me to learn more about the whole procedure.
The villa includes a botanical garden, a museum, and a convention center. It contains precious architecture, period furniture, works of art and a beautiful park that extends to the river Fiumelatte. The romantic paths overlooking the lake, tall cypresses and the many exotic plants were an incredible background for portraits.
As a photographer, what really stands out is the magnificent staircase that drops into Lake Como. We used it for our portraits then moved to other areas of the villa.
Some history behind this beautiful villa on Lake Como
Villa Monastero is an eclectic villa with a Nordic style. It was originally a Cistercian convent, founded at the end of the 12th century. The convent eventually declined to only six mothers, and was closed in 1567.
Paolo Mornico purchased the whole estate in 1569. In the 17th century the Mornico family incrementally rebuilt and decorated it. Then Walter Kees of Leipzig bought the villa in the 1890s. Between 1897 and 1909 he carried out modifications in its current Eclectic style.
In 1936 the Milanese De Marchi family donated the villa to the public and it became a museum. In 1940 the gardens were opened to the public. The villa is now managed by the Province of Lecco, and they offer the chance to book the space for photoshoots upon request.
Ready to plan your own portrait session in Lake Como?
