In 1829 Mylius bought a villa on the heights of Menaggio which he enlarged and embellished over the years to house his rich collections of paintings, statues and precious furnishings.
A house museum is thus formed which, thanks to the care of the descendants, the Vigoni, has remained intact to this day. Not only the large family portraits and the refined furniture but also a whole series of objects of use, from watches to cutlery, from linen to children’s games, contribute to creating a suggestive atmosphere.
Everything recalls the nineteenth century
A vast English park designed and built by Giuseppe Balzaretto surrounds the villa, offering a naturalistic and environmental setting of rare beauty: orchids, centuries-old trees, panoramic points, exotic essences constitute a unique heritage.
Groups of statues animate the paths; a neoclassical temple with works by Thorvaldsen and Marchesi stands on a hill in memory of Giulio, the only son of Enrico Mylius.
Villa Mylius-Vigoni and Villa Garovaglia-Ricci, are owned by the Federal Republic of Germany, and are now the headquarters of a cultural association that organizes high-level conferences.
Guided tours only on Thursday afternoons at 2.30pm
Access: from Menaggio
On foot: approx. 20 min: from Piazza Garibaldi follow Via Calvi, Via Caronti the Via C. from Castello, Via Sauro, Via XIV Maggio, Via Garovaglio to get to Villa Vigoni.
By car: follow the road from Menaggio towards Lugano. After three hairpin bends, turn right towards Loveno. Then after 200 m left for Villa Vigoni. Parking at the church.
By bus: line C13 for Plesio to Loveno