The villa is called after two important Comense ancient personages: Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger, uncle and nephew. Above all, they were the first who studied the phenomenon of the intermittence of the spring "Pliniana", or "Pluviana", which gushes from the above rocks.
Count Giovanni Anguissola, governor in Como, had this villa erected in 1577. After many transfers, the most romantic time ever spent in this house came in 1849. Prince Emil of Belgioioso, the owner at that time, had an overwhelming loveaffair, lasted eight years, with anni, Anne Marie Berthier, married de Plaisance. They had fled together after a grand ball in Paris and the "Pliniana" became their love-refuge. Later on, as it often happens in life, everything ended with an abandonment.
In time, many distinguished personages called at this villa: musicians, poets, scientists. Fogazzaro set his novel "Malombra" here. Sovereigns too, like Joseph II, Napoleon, Francis I and Queen Margaret of Savoy.
For many years, from 1890 until 1983, this villa belonged to Counts Valperga.