In the upper section of Villa Maria's 2.47-acre private park stands a greenhouse built in 1901, which was converted into a residence between 1985 and 1990 under historic preservation guidelines. Its architecture is frequently documented in literature on Lake Como. Mature trees and the natural topography shelter the property from the wind, while its southern orientation ensures consistent daylight throughout the year.
Interior layout and furnishings
The central focus of the layout is a reception room featuring windows over 26 feet high and original frescoes. This space connects to the dining room, a living room, and a billiard room with an en-suite bathroom. A vaulted hallway leads to the kitchen and four bedrooms:
- Main bedrooms: Two primary bedrooms sharing a bathroom equipped with a shower and a whirlpool tub.
- Guest bedrooms: Two guest rooms, each with an en-suite bathroom.
- Utility space: A cellar and a boiler room complete this level.
The furnishings include antique carpets, furniture, artwork, statues, and historic lighting.
Grounds
The private residential area is enclosed by a hedge, with seven antique vases on capitals and an oval fountain with a bronze crocodile sculpture shaping the immediate grounds. A historic iron and glass pavilion provides covered parking for four vehicles.
The main park of Villa Maria spans approximately 7.41 acres, extends to the lakeshore, and includes:
- A 65-foot (20-meter) swimming pool
- A tennis court and a bocce court
- Pathways through the old-growth trees
History of Villa Maria
The villa was built between 1889 and 1892 for the American Martin Clerc, following designs by the engineer Giacomo Mantegazza of Menaggio; his heiress, Josephine May, completed the project. The interiors and grounds were designed by the Lombard sculptor and scenic designer Ludovico Pogliaghi. The estate reflects Lombard Mannerism, notably through its three-arched loggias on two levels. The greenhouse was originally built to display rare botanical specimens from Clerc’s travels. In the late 1930s, the property was acquired by the Swiss Schmidt family.
The location of Griante
Griante is situated on a plateau roughly 160 feet above the lake, directly across from Bellagio, with views of the Grigne mountains. Giuseppe Verdi composed arias for La Traviata at the neighboring Villa Ricordi; parts of Stendhal’s The Charterhouse of Parma are set in Griante, and Longfellow dedicated poems to the town. Historical visitors include Pope Pius XI, Queen Victoria, Kaiser Wilhelm II, Prince Umberto of Savoy, Konrad Adenauer, and Tsar Nicholas II.
Hiking trails lead from the property to the Madonna delle Grazie di San Martino sanctuary. The Menaggio & Cadenabbia Golf Club is a short drive away. Lugano is accessible in about 30 minutes by car, and St. Moritz in approximately 90 minutes.
