Lake Como is in northern Italy in the shadow of the Alps. It is known for the charmingly haphazard little towns, the amazing villas and gorgeous gardens on it. In short, it is a is breathtakingly beautiful spot.
Here are some reasons you might have heard of or seen it:
- George Clooney has a house there. He owns the 18th century mansion, Villa L’Oleandra in Laglio.
- When James Bond shoots Mr. White in Casino Royale, he does it at Villa La Gaeta, in San Siro. In the beginning of Quantum of Solace, Bond drives by Lake Como.
- Villa Erba in Cernobbio was featured in Ocean’s Twelve, starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt. It served as the estate of “The Night Fox,” François Toulour.
- Several movies have been filmed at Villa del Balbianello just outside Lenno. A Month By The Lake (starring Vanessa Redgrave and Uma Thurman) was filmed at the house and various other locations around the lake. Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones was also filmed at Villa del Balbianello.
- Poets and writers Henry Wadsworth Longfellow , Lord Byron, Percy Blythe Shelley and Mary Shelley hung out there.
- So did composer Giuseppe Verdi. He composed a part of La Traviata in Villa Ricordi.
- If George isn’t enough for you, Sir Richard Branson, owns a large villa near Villa Balbianello. Matthew Bellamy of Muse and Brazilian soccer star Ronaldinho also have places there. Fashion designer Gianni Versace, used to live at the Villa Le Fontanelle in Moltrasio.
- The lake is also known for its pollution. If the water looks a little green, that’s because it is green. Phosphates and nitrates from pollutants have caused an excessive growth of algae, a process called eutrophication. Its waters have been too polluted for swimming since 1997.
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