There are places that can’t be measured in square meters but in emotions. Villa Olmo is one of them: a symbol of elegance, history, and openness toward the lake. Today, however, Como is writing a new and bold chapter—the expansion of its historic park through a forward-thinking and concrete project aimed at returning a forgotten heritage to the community.
A Forgotten Heritage Comes Back to Life
With an investment of €2.3 million, the city has acquired a 15-hectare area—three times the size of the current Villa Olmo park—which includes the former Church of San Pietro ad Vincula and Monastery, also known as “Casa Paolo Celesia”, a property protected by the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape.
Built in 1318, the church represents a significant piece of Como’s religious and cultural memory. Yet for years, the entire complex was left in a state of neglect and decay, invisible to most and cared for by none. Now, at last, the city is making a decisive step toward regeneration.
The council has resolved to submit a proposal to the Ministry of Culture – Superintendence of Archaeology Fine Arts and Landscape for the provinces of Como Lecco Monza and Brianza Pavia Sondrio and Varese, to exercise the right of preemption over the protected property known as “Church of San Pietro ad Vincula and Monastery, formerly Casa Paolo Celesia”.
This move reflects vision, strategy, and—above all—a sense of responsibility toward what Como has been and what it can become again.
Toward One of Italy’s Most Striking Urban Parks
This acquisition fits into a broader vision: “Between Villas and Gardens of Lake Como: Navigating Knowledge”, a project already underway that aims to create a continuous cultural and landscape system—accessible, alive, and woven with connections between places, people, and knowledge.
The path linking Villa Olmo, Villa del Grumello, and Villa Sucota is now enriched by a new section—equal in value and significance. It is not merely a physical extension, but a symbolic completion, amplifying the meaning and vision of the original project.
It’s an invitation to slow down, to rediscover open spaces, and to immerse ourselves in the beauty of our territory with a more conscious gaze.
This green space doesn’t just grow in size—it grows in meaning.
This acquisition is much more than a real estate operation: it is a cultural and civic act, a deliberate step toward a city that chooses to enhance what it holds most dear—its landscape, its history, its soul.
And if there is a deeper meaning in living and investing in Como, it is exactly this: contributing to its beauty with vision, respect, and courage.
Explore the map of Villa Olmo and its surrounding areas here.
