HISTORIC PALAZZO NEAR SWISS BORDER (IT), Varese, Italy

The period villa lies on the edge of the historic centre of the village, in a prominent position above the village itself and with distant views of the romantic hill and mountain landscape of Lombardy, as far as the Monte Brè of Lugano in Switzerland and a little of Lake Lugano. It stands in park-like grounds, approx. 8,500 sq. m. in size with centuries-old mature trees such as copper beeches, palms, cypresses, holly, lime trees, magnolias, rhododendrons, camellias, jasmines, hydrangeas, roses etc.; in the park there is a bocchia court and a small romantic pond.  

The stately mansion in the style of a Palazzo d’Epoca is listed in a publication about villas in the area and in the province of Varese and described as a significant building in Liberty style (Italian art-nouveau style).

The monumental architecture of the Villa d'Epoca is most impressive; the neo-classical part of the palazzo probably originated around 1850, whereas the neo-Gothic tower dates back to 1880.

The villa comprises 2 grand storeys with high ceilings with numerous historic frescoes and fireplaces. Above these is a completely extended attic in the high roof. Altogether on these three floors there are approx. 1,000 sq. m. of living area; in addition to this a basement or cellar with a further approx. 400 sq. m. utility space. All 4 levels are connected with one another via a lift and via spacious open staircases and stairs.

Apart from the representative main entrance on the front elevation of the building, there is a second entrance at the rear of the house near to the tower.

The ground floor is divided as follows: entrance area with impressive pillars made of pink porphyry from Cuasso, a spacious reception room, TV room and library with antique fireplace made of high-quality marble and a wide treble-arched window, office, conference room, large room with frescoes, room with bathroom, impressive granite staircase, lift to the upper floors, various side rooms as well as a cloakroom and sanitary facilities. Next to the tower there is a side entrance to the house. 

The bel étage, the first floor, with its likewise high ceilings and numerous frescoes, has the following layout: salon with antique marble fireplace, reading room with antique tiled stove, panoramic portico with wall frescoes, dining room, kitchen, larder, 2 rooms with bathroom, guest WC, master bedroom with bathroom boasting top-quality fittings as well as hydro-massage bathtub, shower, sauna and Turkish bath, cloakroom.

The attic in the roof was extended in 2008; it was built in modern, architectural style and is flooded with light. The attic can also be reached by lift or via a staircase. The living area on this floor is divided up as follows: entrance area, large library, divided into several rooms, also ideal as an office or as a separate apartment, guest WC, kitchen bar, guest room with bathroom. In addition a gallery and sun terrace. 

From the attic or from the bel étage one can reach the tower via a small staircase, or rather a tower room with high windows and a panoramic terrace above it that has a glass roof and is secured on the sides by a balustrade. 

The basement accommodates the former kitchen with fireplace, storage rooms, boiler room, a large laundry, cellar, wine cellar, wood store, etc. There would also be space here for garages.

The villa has been refurbished several times during the past decades. The most extensive refurbishment work was carried out between 2004 and 2008 whereby almost all the frescoes on the ceilings and on the approx. 4 m high walls were restored, the bathrooms and the kitchen replaced, the wrought-iron gate and fences abrasive-blasted; with the exception of a part of the tower all the façades were completely renewed. The splendid inlay parquet floors were stripped and sealed. Also a large part of the electrical fittings and conduits; the period wooden windows with wooden shutters were restored. When the bathrooms were renewed, only the best quality marble was used for panelling and for the floors; the sanitary fittings were installed with only products by reputable designers such as Philippe Starck, Teuco etc.

Within the framework of the extensive refurbishment measures in 2007/2008 the roof substructure and the whole of the roof covering were completely renewed, and where necessary, walls and ceilings renovated, reinforced or replaced. 

The grounds have been carefully tended. The park is set out with a superb stock of trees and plants. The park has a bocchia court and a pond with water lilies. The flagstone paths and all paved pathways were also renewed with natural stone paving in Lombardy style made of pink-coloured, grey and black porphyry from Cuasso.

The whole estate is surrounded by a high antique, natural stone wall, the gates and fences were abrasive-blasted and one of the high wrought-iron gates electrified. A paved driveway leads up to the main entrance to the house.

From all windows, balconies and terraces and from the tower there are distant panoramic views or of the mountains, to Lake Lugano as far as the Monte Brè of Lugano.