The Call Me by Your Name Villa in Italy: History, Filming Location, Real Estate, and Visiting Guide

Located in the quiet municipality of Moscazzano within the Lombardy region of Northern Italy, Villa Albergoni is the real-life 16th-century estate that served as the central filming location for Luca Guadagnino’s acclaimed 2017 romantic drama Call Me by Your Name. While the villa remains a private residence and is not open for public interior tours, its historic architecture, film production legacy, and surrounding countryside draw cinema enthusiasts and cultural travelers to the province of Cremona.

What Is Villa Albergoni? The History Behind the Estate

long before it gained global cinematic fame as the home of the Perlman family, Villa Albergoni—also historically referred to as Villa Stramezzi—stood as a prominent aristocratic residence in the Po Valley. Located in Moscazzano, a small village near the city of Crema, the estate reflects centuries of noble Italian history, architectural evolution, and regional heritage.

Origins and Architectural Evolution

The site on which Villa Albergoni stands was originally occupied by a medieval fortress or castle, positioned strategically to oversee agricultural lands in Lombardy. In the late 16th century, the site was reconstructed into a fortified country manor by the noble Albergoni family. Over the course of the 17th and 18th centuries, subsequent structural renovations transformed the defensive stronghold into an elegant Baroque and Neoclassical villa suited for aristocratic country living.

The main building (palazzo) features a rectangular footprint flanked by two short wings projecting toward the entrance courtyard, forming a classic "U-shaped" residential layout typical of noble Lombard estates. The facade presents symmetrical window arrangements, stone decorative accents, and a main portal leading into an expansive central vestibule.

Architectural Highlights and Interiors

The interior of Villa Albergoni preserves historic craftsmanship across multiple floors:

• Frescoes and Wall Decorations: The grand salon (salone) and several reception rooms feature historic frescoes executed in the late 16th century by Aurelio Busso, a painter who trained under Giulio Romano and was influenced by the school of Raphael. The murals depict mythological scenes, biblical allegories, and ornate grotesque motifs framing vaulted ceilings.
• Structural Features: The property includes coffered wooden ceilings, classical terracotta tiled floors, carved stone fireplaces, and an monumental main staircase crafted from local stone.
• The Main Residence: Spanning approximately 1,400 square meters (over 15,000 square feet) of internal space, the main villa houses over 14 distinct rooms, including reception halls, historic libraries, service spaces, and multiple bedrooms spread across three levels.

The Grounds and Outbuildings

The villa is enclosed within an estate spanning approximately 2 hectares (nearly 5 acres) of private parkland. The grounds contain historic landscaping, native tree species, stone pathways, and a former gardener's cottage (dependance). A prominent features of the property is its perimeter wall and heavy iron entrance gates facing the village street, which offer total privacy from the surrounding public roads.

Detailed historical documentations of noble residences across Lombardy are maintained by the official regional heritage board at Lombardia Beni Culturali, which documents protected cultural properties in the province of Cremona.

The Filming of Call Me by Your Name: Transforming Villa Albergoni

When director Luca Guadagnino set out to adapt André Aciman’s 2007 novel Call Me by Your Name, he chose to move the story’s setting from the Italian Riviera (Bordighera) to the countryside around Crema in Lombardy, an area he knew intimately as a long-time local resident.

Guadagnino had personally known Villa Albergoni for years and initially harbored dreams of buying the property himself. When production began, he selected the villa as the primary stage where the summer romance between Elio Perlman (Timothée Chalamet) and Oliver (Armie Hammer) unfolds.

Villa Albergoni Estate Layout:

• North Garden (Orchard, Peach Trees, Shaded Pathways)
• Main Estate Structures
  
  
  • West Wing (Elio's Bedroom & Balcony)
  • Main Residence (Grand Salon, Library, Hall)
  • East Wing (Guest Quarters & Servants)
• Courtyard & Patio (Al Fresco Dining Area, Main Gates)

Production Design and Set Decoration

While the structural skeleton of Villa Albergoni was historic, the building had stood unoccupied for years prior to filming and was essentially empty. To make it look like a lived-in, intellectual family retreat belonging to an archaeology professor and a translator, Guadagnino brought on interior designer Violante Visconti di Modrone.

Visconti di Modrone completely furnished the empty interior using heirloom pieces, personal items, and antiques sourced from dealers and family collections:

1. Living Spaces: The designer installed antique Persian rugs, framed vintage maps, classical sculptures, stacked hardcover books in multiple languages, and plush velvet seating to reflect the Perlman family’s scholarly background.
2. The Bedrooms: Elio’s room was dressed with mid-20th-century posters, a vintage upright piano, classical sheet music, and period radios, matching the film’s 1983 timeframe.
3. The Bathrooms: The memorable connecting bathroom between Elio and Oliver was dressed with vintage porcelain fixtures, brass piping, and classic Italian wall tiles to evoke a timeless rural estate aesthetic.

Key Scenes Shot at the Villa

The vast majority of Call Me by Your Name takes place in and around Villa Albergoni:

• The Front Courtyard and Portico: The shaded patio area outside the main ground-floor doors serves as the setting for daily al fresco breakfasts, family lunches, and evening conversations over local wine.
• The Shared Balcony: The upper-level stone balcony overlooking the garden connects the bedrooms of the two main characters and acts as a central visual nexus for their developing bond.
• The Music Room and Grand Salon: Scenes featuring Elio transcribing classical scores or performing piano adaptations of Bach and Liszt were shot directly inside the main ground-floor salon beneath historic painted ceilings.
• The Orchard and Gardens: The perimeter of the parkland, bordered by stone walls and fruit-bearing trees, was modified for filming to include peach trees and outdoor sitting spots.

Real Estate Details: Market History and Property Value

Following the global success of Call Me by Your Name, Villa Albergoni attracted widespread international media attention when it was officially listed on the real estate market.

The 2018 Market Listing

In early 2018, shortly after the film received four Academy Award nominations (winning Best Adapted Screenplay), Italian luxury real estate agency Lionard Luxury Real Estate listed Villa Albergoni for sale with an asking price reported at €1.7 million (approximately $2.1 million USD at the prevailing exchange rate).

The public listing offered a detailed look into the architectural layout and estate metrics, which are summarized below:

Preservation and Ownership Realities

Purchasing a property of Villa Albergoni’s nature involves significant ongoing financial commitments beyond the initial purchase price. Under Italian law, historic dimore (dimore storiche) of this era fall under the oversight of the Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio (Ministry of Cultural Heritage).

Owners face explicit legal guidelines regarding restoration work:

• Structural Modifications: The exterior facade, internal frescoes, original rooflines, and load-bearing masonry cannot be altered without strict governmental authorization.
• Maintenance Expenses: Upkeep for historic frescoed ceilings, stone foundations, extensive slate/tile roofing, and massive gardens requires specialized restoration labor, keeping maintenance costs high relative to modern luxury homes.
• Private Ownership Status: The estate remains in private hands. While listed on the market at various points, it has not been converted into a public museum, hotel, or bed-and-breakfast.

How to Visit Moscazzano and Film Locations in Lombardy

Because Villa Albergoni is a private residence, tourists cannot enter the grounds or tour the interior without explicit permission from the property owners. However, fans can explore the village of Moscazzano, view the villa's exterior, and take a self-guided tour of the surrounding filming sites across the province of Cremona.

• MILAN
  
  
  • Train (~40 min) to CREMA
    
    
    • CREMA
      
      
      • PANDINO (War Memorial Scene)
      • Bus / Bike (~10 km) to MOSCAZZANO (Villa Albergoni)
      • Bike (~7 km) to CAPRALBA (Fontanile Quarantina)

1. Moscazzano: The Villa Exterior and Village Center

Moscazzano is a tranquil village situated about 10 kilometers south of Crema.

• Viewing Villa Albergoni: The villa is located along Via Roma. Visitors can view the impressive entrance gates, perimeter walls, and upper floor windows from the public street. Travelers are strictly asked to respect private property by avoiding climbing walls, ringing gatebells, or trespassing.
• Piazza Gambazocchi: Located a short walk from the villa, this small square hosted scenes in the film where Elio and Oliver interact with local residents outside the village bar (Bar Albergo).

2. Crema: The Cultural Base Camp

The historical town of Crema served as the production headquarters for the cast and crew and features several key locations seen on screen. Information regarding regional cultural events and walking tours can be reviewed on the official municipal site of Comune di Crema.

• Piazza Duomo: The main square of Crema is where Elio and Oliver sit at a cafe table directly in front of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta to read newspapers and discuss history.
• Bike Rentals: Crema’s municipal area offers bicycle rental services, making it easy to cycle the flat countryside roads connecting Crema to surrounding film sites, mirroring the characters' daily journeys.

3. Key Day-Trip Filming Locations Nearby

Travelers building an itinerary around Call Me by Your Name can visit several neighboring towns within short driving or cycling distance:

1. Pandino (12 km west of Crema): The historic Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II in Pandino features the World War I monument where Elio opens up to Oliver about his feelings during a pivotal scene filmed at the base of the statue.
2. Capralba - Fontanile Quarantina (10 km north of Crema): The secluded natural spring where Elio brings Oliver to read and swim. The fontanili are natural freshwater springs unique to the agricultural hydrology of the Lombardy plains.
3. Sirmione & Lake Garda (1 hour east): The Roman ruins of the Grottoes of Catullus (Grotte di Catullo) on the Sirmione peninsula served as the setting for the archaeological lake trip taken by Professor Perlman, Elio, and Oliver.
4. Bergamo (45 minutes north): The hilltop city (Bergamo Alta) provided the backdrop for Elio and Oliver’s trip near the end of the summer, including scenes filmed at Piazza Vecchia and near the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore.

Key Considerations and Etiquette for Film Location Travelers

Visiting rural Italian locations requires practical planning to navigate transportation networks and local customs smoothly.

Transportation Options

• By Car: Renting a car at Milan Malpensa (MXP) or Milan Linate (LIN) airports provides the highest degree of flexibility for navigating small villages like Moscazzano, Capralba, and Pandino, where regional bus frequencies can be limited on weekends.
• By Public Transit: Regular regional trains operated by Trenord run from Milano Centrale or Milano Porta Garibaldi to Crema (often requiring a single transfer at Treviglio). From Crema, local buses connect to Moscazzano, though schedules run infrequently outside school operating months.
• By Bicycle: The terrain surrounding Crema and Moscazzano is remarkably flat, featuring agricultural lanes (strade vicinali) that make cycling safe and accessible during spring and summer months.

Best Season to Visit

To experience the sun-drenched, golden aesthetic captured in the film, plan your visit between May and September. July and August bring warm temperatures averaging 28°C to 32°C (82°F to 90°F) and vibrant greenery across the fields, though staying hydrated and applying insect repellent along rural waterways is essential. Late spring (May–June) offers lower humidity and pleasant cycling conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you tour the inside of the Call Me by Your Name villa?

No, Villa Albergoni is a privately owned residential estate and is not open to the general public for interior tours, museum walks, or overnight lodging. Visitors can view the historic exterior, perimeter walls, and entry gates from Via Roma in Moscazzano.

Where exactly is the villa located?

The villa is situated in Moscazzano, a small municipality in the province of Cremona within the Lombardy region of Northern Italy. It lies approximately 10 kilometers south of Crema and about 50 kilometers southeast of Milan.

How much was Villa Albergoni listed for on the real estate market?

Following the release of Call Me by Your Name, Villa Albergoni was publicly listed for sale by luxury real estate agency Lionard in 2018 for an asking price of approximately €1.7 million (around $2.1 million USD at the time).

Were the interior furnishings in the movie original to the villa?

No. Villa Albergoni was completely empty and unfurnished when director Luca Guadagnino selected it for filming. Interior designer Violante Visconti di Modrone brought in antique furniture, rugs, artwork, books, and decor to construct the lived-in look of the Perlman residence.

Are the peach orchards scene in the film located at Villa Albergoni?

The outdoor courtyard and surrounding garden paths belong to Villa Albergoni. However, some fruit trees and specific garden features were temporarily installed or enhanced by the production design team during the shoot to create the summer fruit-harvest setting depicted in the story.

How do you get from Milan to Moscazzano?

The most efficient route is to drive via the A35 highway or SP415 state road from Milan to Crema/Moscazzano (approx. 50–60 minutes). Alternatively, take a Trenord train from Milan to Crema, then board a local regional bus or ride a rented bicycle 10 kilometers south to Moscazzano.

Next Steps for Planning Your Lombardy Film Tour

If you are organizing a travel itinerary focused on Call Me by Your Name filming sites in Italy, start by setting up your travel base in Crema. Renting a bicycle or vehicle in Crema allows you to reach Moscazzano to view Villa Albergoni’s exterior, visit the war memorial in Pandino, and explore the natural spring waters of Capralba over a 2-to-3-day trip. Always respect local private property boundaries while exploring rural residential areas.