For Sale: An 18th-Century Villa Overlooking Italy’s Quiet Alternative to Lake Como

Jul 19

Bedrooms: 6 Bathrooms: 5 Interior: 847 m² / 9,117 sq ft Lot: 4,000 m² / 0.99 acres

Amenities: Panoramic views of Lake Orta, San Giulio Island and Monte Rosa, frescoed ceilings, period fireplaces, original decorative details, formal salons, recently renovated contemporary wing, historic tower, terraced gardens, mature trees and secluded outdoor areas.

While Como and Maggiore draw the crowds, Lake Orta remains the quieter insider’s choice—a smaller northern Italian lake favored by those seeking discretion, character and a slower pace.

Overlooking the lake from the hillside village of Ameno, an 18th-century villa has come to market with Italy Sotheby’s International Realty (price upon request).

Lake Orta has long attracted artists, writers and intellectuals, including Honoré de Balzac, Robert Browning and Friedrich Nietzsche, yet it has remained considerably less developed than northern Italy’s better-known lakes.

At approximately 13 kilometers long, compared with more than 50 kilometers for both Como and Maggiore, the lake has a notably intimate scale. Its location in Piedmont, slightly west of the principal Lombardy lake routes, has also helped it retain a more secluded atmosphere.

At its center, Orta San Giulio preserves its medieval core, with cobbled lanes descending toward the water and views across to San Giulio Island, home to a Romanesque basilica and Benedictine monastery.

The villa occupies an elevated position in Ameno, historically known as the “village of artists.” From the property, views extend across Lake Orta and San Giulio Island toward the sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso and the Monte Rosa massif in the Piedmontese Alps.

The residence spans approximately 847 m² (9,117 ft²). Its interiors preserve many of the original architectural and decorative details, including frescoed ceilings, period fireplaces and formal salons with 18th-century proportions.

The principal residence is arranged over two levels. The upper floor contains four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a study, while the main entertaining rooms occupy the floor below.

A second wing has recently been renovated in a more contemporary style, providing a bright living area, two additional bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The grounds extend across approximately 4,000 m² (43,055 ft²), or just under one acre, and include a historic tower. The gardens follow the natural slope of the hillside toward the lake, with mature trees, flowering hedges and a series of secluded outdoor areas positioned to take advantage of the views.

The property is approximately 45 minutes from Milan Malpensa Airport and within reach of the golf clubs surrounding Lake Maggiore.

Combining preserved 18th-century architecture, updated interiors and expansive views across one of northern Italy’s most understated lakes, the villa offers a quieter alternative to the region’s more established destinations.