LAGLIO, THE MOST VIP VILLAGE ON LAKE COMO

On the western branch of Lake Como is Laglio, an enchanting village inhabited by less than 1000 people.

Despite this, Laglio has become very famous thanks to the actor George Clooney who bought two beautiful villas there, Villa Oleandra and Villa Margherita.

The village is located just 15 km from the city of Como and can be easily explored on foot or by bike in an afternoon.

So, let’s find out what to see in Laglio.

WHAT TO SEE IN LAGLIO

FIRST OF ALL, ENJOY THE VIEW

Like all the towns that overlook Lake Como, Laglio offers a quiet and fascinating atmosphere, perfect for relaxing.

The beauty of the lake is enhanced by the hills lined with vineyards, olive groves and laurel plants. Walking along the shore of the lake or the mountain paths is a great way to discover this beautiful area.

But there’s a special natural attraction that is worth seeing during a day trip to in Laglio. It’s the Hole of the Bear cavern.
Located at almost 600 mt. above the sea level, this cave goes into the hills and hides an underground lake.
Its name derives from the exceptional discovery of the bones of an Ursus Speleus, the cave bear which lived during the Quaternary.

HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

The origins of Laglio date back to the Roman era. Its name itself derives from the Roman commander Lalliu and the ancient tower of Torriggia recalls the ancient domination.

However, most of the monuments to see in Laglio are more recent.

One of these is the church of San Giorgio, St. George.
The church is located right in the center of the town. It was built in the 17th century and is decorated with remarkable stuccos and friezes. It also preserves some works of painting and sculpture from the 18th century.
The Oratory, which is located to the right of the church, shows more pleasant 18th-century decorations.

Another monument is the pyramid of Joseph Frank, a 19th-century funeral monument located in the cemetery.
The pyramid is 20 meters high and contains the remains of Frank, a doctor of the Habsburgs who fell in love with Laglio and was well know for the parties he organized in his palace.

THE WONDERFUL VILLAS IN LAGLIO

Let’s be honest, George Clooney’s wonderful villas are absolutely among the things to see in Laglio!

The 18th century Villa Oleandra, the summer house of Clooney, was formerly owned by the billionaire ‘Ketchup King’ John Heinz.
Legend has it that Heinz’s heirs helped George Clooney when, during a motorcycle ride, his Harley-Davidson abandoned him right in front of the gates of the villa. The actor immediately felt in love with Villa l’Oleandra and the breathtaking view of the lake, and decided to buy the property.

The second villa Clooney bought is Villa Margherita, an Art Nouveau building connected to Villa Oleandra by a small bridge.

But in Laglio there is also Villa Melograno “la Punta”, which main feature is the large garden that slopes down towards the shores of the lake.

As you can immagine, with all the villas, the beautiful view on the lake and the surrounding mountains, Laglio is the perfect destination for a little romantic getaway.