Luxury villa with lake view for sale

The magnificent and historic Villa Carolina, a refined Art Nouveau residence of approximately 740 m², stands majestically on a picturesque hill in the heart of a unique private park, a true botanical gem of the region, in Cadegliano Viconago.

According to experts, similar historic parks in the Canton of Ticino can be counted on one hand: there are only four. The property extends over approximately 2.5 hectares and represents a rare harmony between natural beauty and landscape art.

Here, Chilean araucarias, South American beech trees rare at these latitudes, majestic Italian pineapples, elegant Russian birches, lush magnolias and camellias, flourishing azaleas, hydrangeas, and rhododendrons coexist, as well as palms, thujas, chestnut trees, and fruit trees. The park boasts a vineyard, as well as persimmon, pear, and apple trees, which produce generous seasonal harvests.

The large terrace in front of the house and the windows on the second and upper floors offer breathtaking views of Lake Lugano and the picturesque Alpine slopes.

The villa was built in 1880 and underwent renovations in the 1950s, during which the upper floor was modernized and the elegant circular turret was transformed into a striking observation tower, giving the building a distinctive character. The villa is currently undergoing a complete restoration.

The park offers a rare level of privacy and comfort. It includes a full-size tennis court with changing rooms and spectator benches under a shady grape arbor, a large swimming pool with diving board, and a unique 24 x 12 meter shower, designed to blend in with the surrounding trees, an enclosed shower area, and a bocce court.

Nestled deep in the garden, a cozy chalet for summer tea parties is nestled in the cool shade of a majestic beech tree. Adjacent, a separate building houses a small lounge with a fireplace, the perfect setting for intimate gatherings and romantic evenings.

The property also includes a 92 m2 gardener's cottage with two independent staff apartments, a small vegetable garden, three greenhouses for the winter storage of flowering plants, aviaries for birds and dogs, and outbuildings.

A small mountain stream flows in a remote corner of the park, creating an atmosphere of solitude and natural harmony. A picturesque gazebo and barbecue area are ideal.

A little higher up, on a sunny hill, lies the estate's vineyard, which produces delicious table grapes as early as July and August. In another part of the park, plums and apples ripen, and in autumn the owners are delighted by the sweet persimmon harvest.

A special treasure of the property is its unique water source, located approximately 1.5 kilometers above sea level, which is being sold with the villa. The well is located on a separate plot of land and draws water from an underground mountain lake, ensuring exceptional drinking water quality. So high, in fact, that the previous owners had considered opening a mineral water bottling business. The park is also connected to the municipal water supply.

The villa boasts a stately layout and the atmosphere of a classic European residence. The interior spaces include a music room, a games room, a spacious living room, a study, a library, six bedrooms and six bathrooms, a magnificent English-style dining room with a fireplace, and a kitchen located on the lower ground floor.

Meals are served from the kitchen to the dining room via a special dumbwaiter. The dining room opens onto a spacious panoramic balcony, perfect for morning coffee or evening tea.

The basement includes utility rooms: kitchen, boiler room, laundry room, and a potential naturally refrigerated wine cellar. A separate service staircase connects the floors and could be converted into an elevator.

The third floor can easily be transformed into a luxurious billiard room with a bar and two guest bedrooms.

The park includes a 53 m² two-car garage and ample guest parking. A paved path runs around the park's perimeter, allowing for easy access by car, and numerous scenic trails are also available.

The villa is located in the pretty town of Cadegliano Viconago (Lombardy): 5 minutes from the Swiss border (Ponte Tresa), 15 minutes from Lugano, 30 minutes from Varese, about 1 hour from Milan and Malpensa airport, 40 minutes from Lake Como

Just 25 minutes away are the famous FoxTown outlet mall in Mendrisio and the children's favorite Swissminiatur amusement park. The picturesque town of Luino on Lake Maggiore, with its beautiful lakeside promenade and marina, can be reached in 15-20 minutes.

The villa is strategically located near the prestigious TASIS – The American School in Switzerland – near Lugano. Villa Carolina offers a rare combination of history, nature, privacy, and an aristocratic lifestyle on the border between Italy and Switzerland.