For the first time in over sixty years, one of Lake Como’s most enigmatic and storied estates has entered the market.
Villa Olivetta, located in the prestigious enclave of Menaggio, is not merely a residence. It is a time capsule of 19th-century ambition and British-Italian heritage.
Positioned perfectly to overlook the "golden triangle" of the lake, with the Bellagio peninsula directly ahead and Varenna shimmering to the east, this estate represents a rare architectural departure from the traditional Italian neoclassical style.
A Visionary’s Design: The Mylius Legacy
The story of Villa Olivetta begins with Herman Mylius, a London-born engineer who arrived on the shores of Como in the mid-1800s. Rather than conforming to local aesthetics, Mylius brought the Victorian grandeur of his birthplace to Italy. He personally designed the villa, creating a sprawling 1,800 sqm (19,375 sq. ft.) complex that serves as a testament to the adventurous spirit of the era.
Curiosities and Collections
To walk through the halls of the main villa is to step into the private world of a 19th-century explorer. The entrance is famously guarded by massive whale bone jaws, relics of Mr. Mylius’ deep-sea fishing expeditions.
The heart of the home, however, lies in its lakeside library. This room houses an extraordinary collection of Punch, the legendary English satirical magazine dating back to 1841, alongside family chronicles of boat trips and lake expeditions that have remained undisturbed for decades.
An Unparalleled Waterfront Realm
While most Lake Como villas boast a view, Villa Olivetta offers a 320-meter linear lakefront. This immense private shoreline encompasses:
- The Main Villa: Over 600 sqm of living space featuring 11 bedrooms, each offering a distinct perspective of the water.
- The Park: 13,000 sqm of century-old botanical gardens tended by master gardeners, housing a poetic greenhouse and two additional residences: Casa a Lago and Casa Alta.
- The Nautical Lifestyle: A private dock, a sheltered marina, and a lakeside swimming pool that sits as a quiet sanctuary among ancient trees.
The Rarest of "Trophy Assets"
In the world of ultra-prime real estate, we often talk about "scarcity," but Villa Olivetta defines it. Having been held by a single family for six decades, its emergence on the market is a generational event.
In 2026, buyers aren't just looking for square footage; they are looking for provenance. They want a story they can inhabit. Between its Victorian eccentricity, its staggering 320 meters of private coast, and the intellectual legacy of the Mylius family, Villa Olivetta is more than a home, it is an heirloom waiting for its next chapter.
