In common with all the main towns on Lake Maggiore, Arona possesses a number of fine mansion houses with superb gardens, which were once the summer residences of their wealthy owners.

The best-known of these is undoubtedly Villa Ponti, a splendid eighteenth century Baroque mansion located in Via San Carlo not far from the fifteenth century Palazzo Borromeo.

Today Villa Ponti is a venue for art exhibitions which frequently include paintings by world masters such as Picasso and Kandinsky, and also hosts prestigious events such as conferences, receptions and classical music concerts.

Directions:

By car: from the A26 motorway exit at Arona; once in the town continue in the direction of the Rocca. The Villa is in Via San Carlo (no. 57).