Villa Pallavicino

In harmony with nature

On the lakeside in Stresa, towards Belgirate, some 50 acres of parkland unite plants and wildlife in a single environment: Villa Pallavicino. This open-air wildlife museum on Lake Maggiore is home to more than 50 species of mammals and birds.

The estate was founded as a private residence in 1855 but owes its beauty to its acquisition by the noble Pallavicino family from Genoa, who transformed it from a simple residence into the splendid 19th-century neoclassical villa that can be admired today. In 1952, the Marchesa Luisa completed the work by housing animals from all over the world. The family then decided to turn it into a wildlife museum open to the public. Since 2017, this precious heritage has been included in the Terre Borromeo. 

Fallow deer, llamas, Tibetan goats, macaques, zebras, kangaroos and many other animals live here today, free and in the shade of the ancient trees and the botanical garden, where they are visited by thousands of people every year. Villa Pallavicino also takes in animals that could no longer survive in their natural habitat, because they were born in captivity or because abandonment or accidents have caused them permanent trauma.

There is also an area where visitors can experience direct contact with animals: the Fattoria, built for unique and educational encounters. The park is open daily from May to September from 9am to 6pm.