Villa Crespi
A striking nineteenth century villa in Moorish style on the shore of Lake Orta, best known as the home of chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo and his two Michelin star kitchen.
Villa Crespi is a small jewel rather than a grand estate. With its minaret, ornate interiors and a setting on the quiet, romantic Lake Orta, it is one of the most distinctive villas in northern Italy, and the cooking is a genuine destination in its own right.
This is a venue for an intimate, food led celebration. With fourteen rooms and suites and exclusive use suiting parties up to around 70, it favours couples who care about a memorable table and a romantic, jewel like setting over a large party. A planner who knows the lake will help shape the day.
Villa Crespi stands at Orta San Giulio on Lake Orta in the Piedmont region of Italy, an exotic nineteenth century villa with a minaret and Moorish detailing. It hosts intimate weddings, with interior halls seating around thirty to thirty five guests each and the garden taking up to around 100 under a tent, while exclusive use of the villa suits parties up to around 70. The villa has fourteen rooms and suites, sleeping around thirty guests. It is celebrated for the two Michelin star cooking of Antonino Cannavacciuolo, so confirm dates, exclusive use terms and menus directly with the villa.
A Moorish villa, a romantic lake and serious cooking.
Style and setting
Villa Crespi was built in the late nineteenth century in a Moorish style, complete with a minaret, and sits on the shore of Lake Orta, the quieter and more intimate of the northern Italian lakes. The interiors are richly decorated, and the garden runs toward the water, giving a setting that feels both exotic and romantic.
Capacity
The villa is intimate. Its halls, the Red, Blue and Yellow rooms, each seat around thirty to thirty five guests, with a smaller Green room for very private dinners. The garden takes up to around 100 under a tent, while exclusive use of the villa suits parties up to around 70. Confirm the right configuration with the villa.
The dining
The heart of Villa Crespi is the two Michelin star restaurant of Antonino Cannavacciuolo, one of the most celebrated chefs in Italy. For couples who want the food to be the centrepiece, this is a rare opportunity, and it shapes the whole character of a wedding here.
What it costs
Villa Crespi does not publish a single wedding price, and as a two Michelin star property with only fourteen rooms it sits firmly at the premium end. Expect a quote built around exclusive use, accommodation and a bespoke menu rather than a flat hire fee. Treat any figure as indicative November 2025 guidance and confirm directly with the villa.
Ask about Villa Crespi.
We will check availability for your date, explain how exclusive use and menus work and introduce a planner who knows Lake Orta. We reply within two business days and it costs you nothing.
An intimate lake villa rewards a planner who knows Orta.
A small, food led villa wedding means working closely with the kitchen, the rooms and a lakeside village, so a planner who knows Lake Orta and Villa Crespi adds real value. We will introduce one experienced in the region.
Wedding planners in ItalyVilla Crespi, answered.
How many guests can Villa Crespi host?
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The villa is intimate. Its halls each seat around thirty to thirty five guests, the garden takes up to around 100 under a tent, and exclusive use of the villa suits parties up to around 70. Confirm the right configuration with the villa.
What makes Villa Crespi special?
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It is a Moorish style villa on the romantic Lake Orta and the home of the two Michelin star kitchen of Antonino Cannavacciuolo, so the cooking is a true destination. It suits couples who want food and romance over scale.
How much does a wedding at Villa Crespi cost?
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The villa quotes per event rather than publishing a flat fee, and as a two Michelin star property with fourteen rooms it sits at the premium end. Expect a quote around exclusive use, accommodation and a bespoke menu. Confirm with the villa.
How do guests reach Lake Orta?
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Lake Orta is about forty minutes from Milan Malpensa airport by car, with rail access to Orta Miasino station nearby. The lake is quieter than Como or Garda, which adds to its appeal.
Can we get legally married at the villa?
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Italy allows civil ceremonies at licensed venues, but many couples hold a symbolic ceremony at the villa and complete the legal marriage at the Orta San Giulio town hall or at home. A local planner guides the paperwork.
Photography is licensed stock from Unsplash, shown to evoke the setting. It does not depict the venue itself.
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