Casa Cattaneo - Villa K2 by Carlo Mollino.

Entire villa in Agra, Italy

  1. 8 guests
  2. 4 bedrooms
  3. 4 beds
  4. 2 bathrooms
Hosted by Mattia Bernardo
  1. Superhost
  2. 2 years hosting

Listing highlights

Self check-in

You can check in with the building staff.

Beautiful area

Guests love this home’s scenic location.

Mountain and park views

Soak up the views during your stay.
Some info has been automatically translated.
Villa K2 was designed by architect Carlo Mollino in 1953, one of Italy's most celebrated designers. It has remained in the hands of the same family ever since. Arranged on two floors, with a breathtaking view of Lake Maggiore, the villa is surrounded by greenery in the middle of a large private garden.

The space
The first sketches submitted by Mollino were very daring. The villa were to have consisted of two floors cantilevered on four pillars: part of the first floor would have been occupied by a grand staircase and the upper floor would have been entirely dedicated to an enormous drawing room with a glass fireplace in the centre. But Luigi Cattaneo rejected this idea: he wanted something simpler.

The second version of the project, created by Mollino according to his instructions, was certainly more modest but at the same time more elegant. However, it still retains its distinctive feature, the cantilevered part, resting on just two columns. And on sunny autumn days, with a clear sky and the lake shimmering, it looks as if the villa is about to take off. The living room was therefore completely abandoned (which was unthinkable at the time) and replaced with a dining room joined by an open kitchen. In addition, the house has five bedrooms: three on the first floor (two doubles and one with two single beds) and two on the ground floor (one double, one with two single beds) two bathrooms, a utility room and a boiler room. And, of course, the magnificent terrace that runs the length of the façade. In addition, a cinema room with a projector, fireplace and space for board games is available for guests in the annex.

Mollino, however, was not only an extraordinary architect but also a maverick designer, the author of furniture that has made Italian design history and reached stellar prices at auctions organised by international brands such as Christie's and Sotheby's. Villa K2 is entirely designed by Mollino in every single detail, including screws. Some pieces, which were once part of the house's furnishings, have reluctantly been sold to private collectors or museums, but many still remain, such as the beds, wardrobes, bedside tables or the famous coat racks nicknamed 'earrings'.

The property is completed by the caretakers' house and the former stable, now used as a shed. All immersed in a four-hectare private park.

Guest access
Guests are welcome to use the indoor and outdoor areas of the villa. A Weber barbecue is available, but please do NOT cook on the terrace; use the garden instead. Guests can also visit the annexe, which has a cinema room with a projector, a fireplace and a board games area.

Registration Details
IT012001C2ZG667ALJ

What this place offers

Lake view
Mountain view
Kitchen
Wifi
Free parking on premises

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Rated 4.94 out of 5 from 34 reviews.

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Overall rating

  1. 5 stars, 94% of reviews
  2. 4 stars, 6% of reviews
  3. 3 stars, 0% of reviews
  4. 2 stars, 0% of reviews
  5. 1 stars, 0% of reviews

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for accuracy

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for check-in

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for communication

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for location

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars for value

Where you’ll be

Agra, Lombardia, Italy

Agra lies 800 metres above sea level on the Lombard shore of Lake Maggiore, about 20 minutes' drive from the picturesque town of Luino, from which the entire area can be explored thanks to land connections and the extensive boat service. The famous writer Piero Chiara was born in Luino, while the hamlet of Porto Valtravaglia was the birthplace of Nobel Prize winner Dario Fo.

The area is now an international holiday destination, especially from nearby Switzerland and Germany. The shores of the lake are still frequented by many Milanese, who still own second homes here. Over the years, Lake Maggiore has undergone extensive conservation work and its waters are now suitable for bathing. Among the best known and most charming places are Caldè, Laveno, Cannero, Cannobio, Stresa as well as the world-famous Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola Borromeo. The small town of Locarno, home of the famous film festival, and Lugano, the capital of Canton Ticino, are also within easy reach.

Milan Malpensa international airport is about 80 minutes' drive from Agra, and Lugano airport no more than 50 minutes.

Meet your hosts

Born in the 80s
Speaks English, Spanish, French and Italian
Hi, we'll be in Copenhagen for work, to follow the leaders' summit. We are Italian journalists and there will be two of us. Your accommodation seems perfect to us! See you soon.
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Mattia Bernardo is a Superhost

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Additional details

Things to know

Cancellation policy
House rules
Check-in after 12:00
Checkout before 13:00
8 guests maximum
Safety & property
Carbon monoxide alarm
Smoke alarm