Varenna, Italy

Varenna, Italy is located on the east shore of Lake Como in the Italian Alps.

Doting Lake Como's shoreline are villas. While many aristocrats sold their 

villas when expenses exceeded income, others have retained them

and charge the public to tour the lavish interiors 

and amble through the botanical gardens.

Castle Vezio overlooks Varenna. It pre-dates the 13th century and before that

was a military fortress whose tower was a "sighting tower".  Somehow -- and

please don't ask me how or when -- a Queen Teodolinda figures into the history

of the fortress. 

This is a view of Varenna from the castle. Both of the gray roofs are

 church buildings with the smaller, oblong one being a

church dating back to the 9th century AD.