The ancient castle, Castello di Vezio, has stood on a promontory overlooking Lake Como for more than a thousand years. Its strategic location allows you to see the entire village and far across the lake. In the Middle Ages, this served a defensive purpose as soldiers standing atop its towers could see attackers coming from afar and warn the village in time for everyone to take shelter behind the fortress walls. Today, visitors can still climb to the top of the tower and enjoy the stunning views spread out below them.

Surrounded by lush gardens and towering trees, Castello di Vezio seems to be in perfect harmony with nature, as if it simply grew out of the hill. As you walk through the garden paths lined with Cyprus and olive trees, you will notice several statues of spectral, shrouded figures made of white chalk reclining on a bench or staring out over Lake Como. A recent addition to the castle, these lonely but temporary “ghosts” give the gardens a sombre, mystical atmosphere, vanishing as rapidly as when they first appeared, disappearing under the blankets of pristine white snow.

As you stroll across the garden, you might hear a clear screech piercing the air time and again, and see a magnificent falcon circling above the castle. This comes as no surprise as Castello di Vezio is also a training and care centre for raptors, owls and other birds of prey. Visit the falconry for an explanation of the history and development of falconry, as well as for a demonstration of the skills of these magnificent birds.