The Villa del Balbianello, in Lenno, on Lake Como, was the ultimate achievement for Milan-born mountain climber and explorer, Guido Monzino.
Monzino bought this beautiful end-of-the-1700s building in 1974, just one year after organizing the Himalayan expedition that would lead to the first Italian ascent of Mount Everest.
Before his Nepalese endeavor, in his adventurous life the explorer had also been to South America, Africa, Greenland and the North Pole. He personally planned each initiative, sparing no expense and studying everything down to the smallest details, from logistics to equipment. He never left anything to chance.
In this beautiful villa, situated on the tip of the Lavedo peninsula, Monzino decided to stop, and to tell everyone about his wanderings, collecting and exhibiting memorabilia and souvenirs.
When he passed away in 1988, he left Villa Balbianello to the Fai, the Italian Environment Fund. Even in his final venture, the explorer did not want to leave anything to chance.
Photos via:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcofausta/170413918/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fondo_per_l_ambiente_italiano/4793623804/
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=villa+del+balbianello&page=18
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fondo_per_l_ambiente_italiano/4792990897/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreamagni/2960354203/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/croome/2929278581/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iks_berto/4523445917/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/k2pics/2768233546/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/petercookuk/4528208789/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_fuerst/5719107606/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/timukun/3581578186/
http://www.fondationsegre.org/recent-commitments/renovation-of-villa-del-balbianello/
http://www.giorgiomajno.com/portfolio/fai/#
The Villa del Balbianello
