Photo credit: Alessio Mesiano, 2009 © FAI - Fondo Ambiente Italiano Villa del balbianello tremezzina, lake como donated to FAI in 1988 __________________________________ Friends of FAI 2016 restoration project 12 Photo credit © FAI - Fondo Ambiente Italiano About Villa del Balbianello Historical Notes Visitors and Events Located on the western shore of Lake Como, Villa Villa del Balbianello is the most visited among the 52 del Balbianello is perched on the point of the Dosso FAI properties with over 90,000 visitors in 2015. di Lavedo, a wooded promontory that juts out from Almost 70% of these visitors are foreigners coming the coastline to form a small peninsula. The complex from all over the world; they appreciate the was commissioned by Cardinal Angelo Maria outstanding beauty of the Villa, the location and the Durini towards the end of the eighteenth century breath-taking surroundings. and built on the remains of a thirteenth-century Franciscan Monastery. A magnificent Loggia crowns The Villa is also the preferred setting of many private the main building from the highest point of the and corporate events, weddings, as well as film promontory, letting the viewer simultaneously enjoy shootings such as A Month by the Lake by John Irvin, two different panoramas of the Lake. Star Wars: Episode II and 007 Casinò Royale. Following many years of neglect, in 1919 the Villa In response to these increasing demands for private was purchased by an American general, Butler use, in 2013, the Villa opened the new Loggia Segré Ames, who restored it scrupulously. Twenty years which ensures important income. after his death, in 1974, his heirs sold the property to an entrepreneur, Count Guido Monzino, who doubled as an explorer and ardent mountaineer. Count Monzino had the Villa completely re- decorated, adding important pieces of English and French antique furniture from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Oriental carpets, Beauvais tapestries and French boiseries. It was Monzino himself who left the Villa, along with most of the Dosso di Lavedo, to FAI, which has been managing it with attention and care since 1988, providing the periodic maintenance it requires. Members of the Balbianello Circle at the Loggia – may 2015 The Restoration Project visitor experience and safety as a priority Villa del Balbianello has until now undergone a series of renovations that have allowed the Villa to remain functional and aesthetically appealing to the large public that comes to enjoy it every year. Today, FAI’s main priority is to complete projects aimed at improving the visitor’s experience, while also upgrading the Villa’s technical systems in order to conform to safety requirements as well as FAI’s new policy of sustainability. One of the most critical aspects of the project will involve the restoration and consolidation of the Villa’s jetty for a safer !and more pleasant experience when docking visitor boats. The project will also include a special maintenance program for the garden and its centuries-old trees, as !well as the foundation of the garden paths. New signage will also be installed throughout the Villa and garden to increase awareness of Villa del Balbianello’s Photo credit important historic features as well as FAI’s mission © FAI - Fondo Ambiente Italiano and work. Improvements to the Villa’s safety measures will include the implementation of new security, emergency lighting and fire prevention systems. As part of the project, the property’s old diesel fuel system will be replaced with a modern heating system, which will assure proper temperature control to better preserve the Villa’s collection and furniture. Photo credit © FAI - Fondo Ambiente Italiano In order to further improve the visitor experience, additional renovations will be made to the villa’s facilities, including new bathrooms and drainage systems, and improvements to the bookshop and ticket office space. Friends of FAI has committed to restoring Villa del Balbianello for its 2016 restoration project, and hopes to raise "413,000* towards the project by the end of the year. Photo credit © arenaimmagini.it *approximately 470,000 USD based on exchange rate on 5/11/16 Project Budget Friends of FAI Project – Restoration of Villa del Balbianello: Restoration and consolidation of Villa’s jetty " 43,000 Special maintenance of garden’s paths " 68,000 Signage throuout the Villa and garden " 32,000 Security, emergency lighting and fire prevention systems " 85,000 Heating system " 11,000 Services and facilities for visitors (bathrooms, drainage system, " 134,000 bookshop and ticket office) " 40,000 Technical expenses Total: ! 413,000 Approximately ! $ 470,000 Friends of FAI Donor Benefits $10,000: • Name on the official plaque at the villa • Honorary certificate of recognition from the President of FAI • Free entrance to the villa for the donor and up to 10 guests • Private guided visit of the villa, to be coordinated with FAI • Priority access to the next Friends of FAI trip $15,000: • All of the above, plus • One weekend at a FAI guest house $20,000: • All of the above, plus • FAI VIP services: FAI will ensure that your next trip to Italy is one to remember, by arranging private visits and special events during your stay. Your experience will be customized based on your specific needs and interests. $50,000 and up: • All of the above, plus • Two weeks at a FAI guest house (may be used over a two year period) • Invitation for two people to the National FAI Concert at La Scala. Friends of FAI th th 24 West 12 Street, 5 Floor – New York, NY 1011 – T: 212-242-3377 – [email protected] .