Catullus, Goethe, Kafka, Mann, Gide, D’Annunzio… Over the centuries, many writers and poets have loved and praised the beauties of Lake Garda. With its picturesque hamlets, lovely climate, and a unique atmosphere full of harmonious magic, it represents one of the most famous scenarios among those newlyweds that want to celebrate their wedding in a very exclusive and unique way.
In this slice of water between Alpine peaks, as Goethe used to say, among the many marvels attracting people’s eyes and soul, there is a piece of heaven that represents the ideal location to celebrate an unforgettable high-level wedding: Villa Bettoni, the historic eighteenth-century residence belonging to Counts Bettoni. It hosted many eminent figures, such as Giacomo Puccini, Victor Hugo, Giuseppe Garibaldi, and even Napoleon Bonaparte. A unique place: the ideal choice to celebrate events and receptions characterized by a cosy and exclusive luxury.
This prestigious historic house, called “the little Versailles”, is located in Bogliaco di Gargnano, close to the Regional Park of Alto Garda Bresciano. It was built by Gian Domenico Bettoni’s sixteen brothers. Bettoni used to export the famous lemons of Bogliaco all over Europe, even to the table of Catherine the Great. His son Carlo, an agrarian engineer, was in charge of the project, as the rich collection of scientific devices of the Library shows. The result is a valuable example of exceptional architectonic rigour, in the wake of the erudite eighteenth-century Lombard aristocracy. The main body of the building is characterized by spacious halls and a balustrade on the top, with a series of mythological statues on it, which were realized by Giovan Battista Locatelli. The Villa preserves many prestigious works of art: paintings of Palma il Vecchio, Canaletto, Paolo Veronese, Andrea Celesti, and Pitocchetto, old furniture, rare books, stuccos, and decorations. As regards the nuptial banquet, the newlyweds can choose the wonderful Main Hall, which can hold up to 100 people and still preserves Beniamino and Fabrizio Galliari’s frescos, or the three Sale del Piano Nobile (Noble Floor Halls), which are adorned with eighteenth-century frescos and can hold up to 80 people. For a cosier reception, the newlyweds can choose the Sala da Pranzo (Dining Room), which can hold up to 45 guests and is adorned with splendid pictures realized by Andrea Celesti.
Outside, there is the spectacular Italian-style garden, designed by the Florentine architect Amerigo Vincenzo Pierallini, and based on a large exedra. A monumental park, full of olive trees and citrus groves, and scattered with lovely little valleys, and luxuriant bay trees, is adorned with a perspectival architecture that harmonically matches the building. The garden, just like the Villa, is adorned with Gian Battista Locatelli’s sculptures, and hosts three wonderful fountains, an artificial cave, and two lovely terraces with a view of the lake: the perfect scenario for the fateful cake cutting.
Villa Bettoni is a fairy-tale location from any perspective. The newlyweds can enter by boat, or along a sumptuous staircase made out of the mountain. The great variety of environments with their respective characteristics, will allow the newlyweds to turn their reception into a magical and unique dream, enlivened by fireworks illuminating the sky, and a noble atmosphere, thanks to the meticulous attention to details. Everything is supervised by an excellent staff that is ready to fulfil any dream: catering, banqueting, flowers, lights, soundtrack to organize an incredible event, which will always be engraved on your heart.