Villa Gallia

It is the oldest villa on the Borgovico Street.

It was erected, as a summer residence, in 1615 by Abbot Marco Gallio, nephew of Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio, on an area where the Museo Gioviano originally stood, built at the behest of Bishop Paolo Giovio in the first half of the 16th century to house his collection of portraits of illustrious men.
The building, which belonged to the noble family until 1772, was purchased in 1957 by the Municipal Administration of Como, which oversaw its restoration. Part of the figurative and architectural heritage of the original building, which was partially modified by the different owners who succeeded the Gallio descendants, was recovered. It has a simple structure and features, on both facades, a three-arched portico with twin columns on the ground floor, two floors of windows with a central balcony, and, on the lakefront elevation only, a terminal balustrade adorned with statues.