The promontory of Zaro, northwestern end of the Island, is formed by a lava flow covered with dense Mediterranean vegetation. Area of Outstanding Natural-environment, although in an intensively urbanized, has preserved intact its original characteristics. Here is nestled between the sea, the sky and the thick forest La Colombaia, mythologized summer residence of Luchino Visconti.

It was Louis Patalano (1869-1954) "poet, writer," to wish, as recalled with nostalgia his nephew Ignazio Fiorentino, this "white mansion overlooking the deep blue sea, clinging to the volcanic rocks, in the dark green of a luxuriant vegetation , in a solitude far from the noise of men. "
Louis Patalano - towards the end of the 800 - commissioned the construction of the La Colombaia, whose battlements  wanted to reproduce a medieval castle admired during a trip to France.
In 1938, circumstances related to the imminent outbreak of war, Louis Patalano - a declared socialist faith - was forced to sell the La Colombaia to Baron Fassini.

The war was not the ideal scenery for the spotlight of the Colombaia, which experienced a period of anonymity.

Luchino Visconti Ischia frequented long ago when, in the late 50s, began to scour the island looking for a house: la Colombaia was the projection of its aspirations, and after much insistence, persuaded Baron Fassini to sell it. The conditions of the Dovecote at time of purchase were not the best and Visconti undertook renovation and customization again, deliberately, in progress at the time of his death.

The Colombaia is now the principal place of memory of Visconti.
Since 2004, houses the core of the first permanent museum dedicated to Luchino Visconti in his home, entrusted the design and implementation of Catherine D'Amico Dean of the National School of Film and Rai Cinema Ad.
Over 300 images, costumes, memorabilia make up a story of special rooms in the villa through a collection of documents that is enriched from year to year.