Villa Erba on Lake Como: events, fairs and luxury weddings

The history of Villa Erba on Lake Como

The history of Villa Erba is rich and stretches back for centuries, all the way to 966. At that time, the villa itself did not yet exist; instead, the site was home to a Benedictine convent. The importance of this place was such that the name of the town where Villa Erba now stands, Cernobbio, is believed to derive from the Latin word cenobium, meaning “monastery.” After the convent’s suppression in the late 18th century, the property passed through the hands of many noble families, including the Pino, Cima, and Erba-Visconti dynasties.

In the early 20th century, Luigi Erba (who gave the villa his name) commissioned the construction of the current neoclassical villa, which soon became a gathering place for artists and intellectuals, and later the beloved summer home of Luchino Visconti, one of Italy’s most celebrated film directors (to name only a few of his works: Rocco and his brothers, 1960, The Leopard, 1963, Death in Venice, 1971).

In 1986, the estate was transformed into the prestigious congress and exhibition center we know today thanks to a visionary project by architect Mario Bellini.

Villa Erba today: a luxurious location

Today, Villa Erba is one of Lake Como’s most distinguished venues for high-profile events. The estate hosts international exhibitions, business meetings, exclusive weddings, fashion shows, gala dinners, and film productions.

With more than 11,000 square meters of flexible indoor space and stunning outdoor areas overlooking the lake, Villa Erba has become a point of reference for many events.

How to visit Villa Erba

Villa Erba is located in Cernobbio, just a few minutes’ drive from the town of Como. It is easily accessible by:

• Private transfer or taxi from Como or nearby towns
• Public transport, including regular bus routes from Como
• By boat, arriving directly at the villa’s own pier

For those wishing to experience Villa Erba as part of a grand tour of Lake Como’s villas, nothing compares to a private yacht tour. At Como Yachting, we craft exclusive, tailor-made itineraries that include Villa Erba along with other iconic estates such as Villa Carlotta and Villa del Balbianello on our lake villas tour. Glide across the lake in total comfort, disembark at private piers, and discover the rich history and beauty of each residence with curated storytelling and refined service.