Moltrasio has long been a popular destination on the western shore of Lake Como, in the Lombardy region of northern Italy.

The mountain and lakeside town, made up of multiple villages, is known for its luxurious villas, historic churches and mild, sunny weather.

Among notables to frequent the area over the centuries have been Napoleon Bonaparte, opera composer Vincenzo Bellini and Winston Churchill. In more recent years, the late fashion designer Gianni Versace bought and restored a villa near Moltrasio where he played host to such pop icons as Sir Elton John, Sting and Madonna.

This lakeside property for sale is a rarity in the coveted area. The 4,500-square-meter site, about an acre, includes a three-level main villa, guest house and caretaker’s home.

The classic villa, measuring about 750 square meters or more than 8,000 square feet, is surrounded by parklike greenery and mature trees.

The ground floor entrance hall accesses a large open-plan living and dining area where local delicacies, such as fresh alpine cheeses and missoltini, a salted air-dried lake fish, could be sampled.

Ornate details include a baronial fireplace and decorative ceilings. French windows in the main living space take in Lake Como views and open to a lake-view terrace.

Two kitchens, a bathroom, two storage rooms and a laundry room are also on the ground level.

Four bedrooms with lake views, a study and four bathrooms are on the next floor up. The top level contains another four bedrooms and two bathrooms. An elevator accesses all three floors.

The guest house has another 160 square meters, or about 1,700 square feet, of living space. The caretaker’s house is slightly smaller at 140 square meters, about 1,500 square feet.

A heated swimming pool overlooks the lake while stone stairs lead to the water.

Marina Rizzotto of Palazzo Estate Srl, a Forbes Global Properties advertising partner, is the listing agent. The asking price is €17.5 million or slightly more than US $17 million.

Moltrasio is about a 45-minute drive from Milan and its airports.

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Marina Rizzotto is an advertising partner of Forbes Global Properties, a consumer marketplace and membership network of elite brokerages selling the world’s most luxurious homes.