Villa Le Fontanelle: Home to Celebrities

The estate is owned by Russian millionaire Arkady Novikov since 2008 who bought it for a price of 33 million Euros. It was previously owned by Gianni Versace from 1977 until his murder in 1997. Before his death, celebrities such as Sir Elton John, Sting and Madonna were guests in the building.

Since the death of Versace, only American singer Jennifer Lopez and her husband Chris Judd spent their honeymoon there. It is not open to the public but cna be viewed from the lake.

Gianni Versace’s Lake side villa in Moltrasio was reputedly sold for about $52 million in 2008, ($5-6m over the asking price) to a Russian multi-millionaire; Arkady Novikov, a “flamboyant" restaurateur affectionately (known as the “Blini Baron)." The Villa itself “Le Fontanelle" was originally built in 1776 and owned prior to Versace by the Cambiaghi family. Versace purchased this magnificent villa in 1977 and completely refurbished the property ay huge expense. He restored the elegant neo-classic style true to their original design and Versace supervised every element of the restoration and furnished the villa personally.

The grounds and garden restoration however was left to Sir Roy Strong, a respected and honoured “landscaper and garden designer". The Lake Como villa was Versace’s favourite place and was often in residence and the villa was often used for celebrity parties.