opulent villa situated on Lake Como, once owned by fashion icon Gianni Versace, nestled in a chic village approximately 50 kilometers from Milan
Villa Fontanelle: A Neo-Classical Masterpiece on Lake Como
Villa Fontanelle, a stunning neo-classical building located in Moltrasio, Lombardy, approximately 50 kilometers from Milan, has a rich history and an impressive array of features. The villa, which spans over 1.2 hectares of land and boasts four floors painted bright yellow, was built around 1776 for Lord Charles Currie.
The villa has been a private retreat for famous guests such as Princess Diana, Elton John, Sting, and Madonna, and was accessible only by boat or personal invitation. In its heyday, it was owned by Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace, who invested a significant amount of money into restoring and reinventing the villa.
After its initial ownership by the Cambiaghi family, Villa Fontanelle was purchased by Gianni Versace in 1977. The renovation of the villa was completed in 1980, maintaining its original neo-classical style. Donatella Versace, Gianni Versace’s brother, personally supervised the interior design of the villa.
Gianni Versace viewed Villa Fontanelle not only as a refuge but also as a luxurious, private party venue. The villa features a park, a private cove for mooring boats, and hundreds of paintings and sculptures. Two cherrywood bookcases from Gianni Versace’s bedroom and two statues of Greek wrestlers inspired by the works of Antonio Canova were among the most spectacular lots sold at an auction in 2009.
In March 2009, 550 items from Villa Fontanelle were put up for sale by Sotheby's in London for a total of around €7.9 million. Two statues of Greek wrestlers inspired by the works of Antonio Canova sold for ten times their original value at the auction.
The villa changed ownership in 2008 and was acquired by Russian billionaire Arkady Novikov, a famous restaurateur, for around $52 million. Since then, the villa has remained closed to the general public, accessible only to hand-picked guests or admired from a boat on Lake Como. The new owner of Villa Fontanelle since 2008 is François Pinault.
Villa Fontanelle offers panoramic views of Lake Como and has retained its aura even after Gianni Versace’s murder in 1997. American singer Jennifer Lopez and her ex-husband Chris Judd spent their honeymoon there in 2001. The villa has a rich history of hosting famous guests and continues to be a symbol of elegance and luxury on Lake Como.
Sir Roy Strong, a landscape gardener, was called upon to redesign the gardens of Villa Fontanelle, adding to its charm and beauty. The villa remains a testament to the opulence and grandeur of its past, standing proudly on the shores of Lake Como.
