In 1988, Monzino died and donated Villa del Balbianello to FAI (Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano). Later, in 1974, his heirs gave it to the famous entrepreneur and explorer Guido Monzino. He embellished the villa with a rich collection of artifacts that he acquired during his expeditions. In 1919, Villa del Balbianello was purchased by Butler Ames, an American soldier and businessman, who restored the villa to its original splendor. Casino Royale is a fictional casino which first appears in Ian Flemings 1953 James Bond novel Casino Royale, located in the fictional French seaside resort of Royale-les-Eaux. In the 19th century, after the cardinal’s death, the villa became the property of Count Luigi Porro Lambertenghi, his grandson.Īfterward, Villa Balbianello was purchased by Marquis Giuseppe Arconati Visconti, who hosted some great intellectuals such as Alessandro Manzoni, Giovanni Berchet, and Giuseppe Giusti. Gianmartino Arconati Visconti, Giuseppe’s son, made some improvements to the villa’s gardens and loggia, but the decline of the noble family eventually led to a state of neglect. Villa del Balbianello was built at the end of the 18th century by Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini, on the site of an ancient Franciscan monastery.
