360 THE GARDENS OF ITALY. 
The interior feature of the house is a loftv oblong hall lit by three great lunettes, running 
below which is a frieze by Thorwaldsen of 1812. Other sculptures, of which Canova’s “Amor 
and Psyche ” attracts most attention, make up a somewhat cold interior. 
Balbianello is undoubtedly the gem of Lake Como. The villa has been declared as a 
“ National Monument,” and is thus protected against alteration without depriving the owners 
of its possession. The whole peninsula, or “ Punta di Balbianello,” which juts out into the 
lake, is crowned bv the villa buildings, which step up in three tiers from the point immersed in 
the water (Fig. 373). A little harbour, protected by a stone jettv, receives the boat, which is the 
sole means of access, and a striking stairway rising sharply up the flank of the cliff leads the visitor 
up to a level plateau, where the little church of the original Franciscan convent stands. This 
is the second level of the villa buildings. A small courtyard, ten yards wide, is formed by the 
flank of the church and that of the main block of the house. A passageway through the 
connecting wing, between church and house, leads round to a level platform facing the upper half 
379. — THE CYPRESS AVENUE OF SAN GIOVANNI, LAKE COMO. 
of the lake. These levels, irregular in outline, are built up from the rocky base and closed in by 
a delightful balustrade of stucco duro (Fig. 378). Seated boys pull at cords, wdiich are attached 
to shields bearing the monogram of the family. Passing round and keeping still upwards the 
topmost level is crowned by a notable casino, approached by a double stairway. The centre, 
about twelve yards long by ten yards wide, is an open arcaded and vaulted loggia, connecting 
a librarv and a billiard-room on either side (Fig. 375). From this vantage point the views both 
ways of the lake are of surpassing beauty. It would be impossible to improve upon the disposition 
of these buildings. The great attraction of the villa lies in its fine adaptation to the site. The 
level lines of the architecture harmonise by contrast with the natural outline. The hard-won 
plateaux seem to have become part of the rocky site. The whole basis is natural rock skilfully 
utilised and contrasted with rich sculptural detail and solid and simple architectural masses. 
Bevond the peninsula the cliff continues to rise as a wild park or miniature forest of trees, 
through which paths are traced out. 
