VEven in historical dwellings, between art and silences loaded with memory. There is also this possibility in the summer of 2025. “We hear a great responsibility: we keep assets that are an integral part of the national cultural heritage”. The entrepreneur Maria Pace Odescalchimanager of Odescalchi Castleis the new national president ofItalian Historical Houses Association (over 43 thousand residences, Adsi.it): it is the first woman to play this role in almost 50 years of history.
“We are the largest museum widespread in the world And our structures are not simple testimonies of the past, but live places, with a remarkable induced for the territories and communities ». In addition to the national day in spring, over 120 historical archives will be revealed on 11 and 12 October.
Objective: to insert the homes more and more in the network of the Italian tourist offer. “But in the most careful one, far from the loveourism.” For curious travelers, cultured and sensitive to beauty.
The Garda Island
Isola del Garda, in Lombardy, is a timeless space. It is of the Borghese Cavazza family (photo of Eric Sander / Grandi Garden Italian Gardens).
«We are three sisters and four brothers, e Since 2001 we have opened the island to make it more and more to knowAnd. The space and time, the two dimensions that shape every life experience, when they arrive here they take on a different meaning »he explains Alberta Borghese Cavazzaowner ofGarda Islandalso part of the Big Italian gardens. Territory already inhabited at the time of the Romansis custodian of the memories of characters such as St. Francis of Assisi and Sant’Antonio da Padova.
In addition to greenery, it is also the value given to art and culture. The island, that Until October 28th it hosts a widespread exhibition, with mosaics, paintings and photographs, Earth Acqua Air of the artist Felice Nettolo, in addition to Wooden sculptures by Gianluigi Zambelliwith mysterious appearances in the park halfway between the human and the mythological, on August 19th it will be the headquarters of the concert of the lyrical tenor Paolo Delai.
“I often try to wake up from this dream and, with joy, I discover that it is reality” concludes Alberta (Islandelgarda.com).
In the green overlooking the sea
In Liguria stands Cervara suspended between the sea and the hills of the Monte di Portofino.
At each gaze, infinite visions open when you walk at the Cervaraor Abbey of San Girolamo al Monte di Portofinofounded in Santa Margherita in 1364, once home to a Benedictine congregation, and then renovated for 30 years, with the touch also of Pinin Brambila Barcilonrestorer of Leonardo’s Cenacle.
“Since 1990 our commitment has been returning the complex and gardens to the splendor of yesterday. Becoming a mother made me reflect on the responsibilities in preserving this complex for future generations, and declared a national monument in 1921 »he explains Chiara Mapelli the owner. Management engineer, built a hospitality model by transforming Cervara into a location for concerts, weddings and events (the designer Camille Miceli chose it for the PE 2025 parade of Pucci, for example).
Mapelli, also co-founder of the “Ligurian Gardens” network e creator, together with the superintendency, of the Cervara Prize for the best recovery interventions in the regiontoday he looks to the future with the dream of opening up to the little ones, in a place that combines history, nature and legends (Cervara.it).
From Wagner to The White Lotus
Sicily: Villa Tasca inspired Wagner. Today it is home (also) of many television sets (photo by Antonio Chinnici).
In the heart of Palermo, Tasca villa It was also selected as a set for television series, including The White Lotus of HBO E The gotopardo by Netflix. Owned by the Almerita pocket accountsbuilt in the 16th century, is surrounded by the park in which, in the mid -nineteenth century, the Irrégulier gardenwith a labyrinth of soft curves where glimpses of hedges and blooms play with light. Next, the Romantic gardenamong classic temples, caves chiseled in the rock, a lake populated by Cigni, in a dreamlike atmosphere that inspired Wagner at the end of his Parsifal.
The soul behind the park is Luisa Mainardiwho, with her husband Giuseppe, gave new life to their pocket villa, making it an oasis of biodiversity. “I feel a little the beating heart of the place: I take care of the garden, I promote sustainability, I welcome visitors and I think of activities that unite culture, nature and well -being” confesses, while showing the halls of the villa, decorated with stuccos and frescoes, majolica floors and late Baroque pictorial works of art.
Scheduled, on 25 October, EXO Landwith its sound performance (Villatasca.com).
Tuscia’s energy
The castle of Vignanello, in Lazio, hosted Goethe in 1786.
“It is a special territory, which enters your soul. Made of tuff and a strong stratification of history “. Paola Ruspoli of Vignanello Castle Thus describes Tuscia, the Lazio Maremma, about an hour from Rome.
This area of Upper Lazio, loved by Goethe In the Grand Tour that undertook in 1786, and today by artists, intellectuals and creatives (among the last to buy a house, Marie-Louise ski of the Pellicano Hotels), it definitely worth a visit. With a stop at the castle, the noble residence of the Ruspoli family since the fifteenth century. It houses one of the most exclusive Renaissance gardens. Also to admire the historic apartmentsthe frescoes and works of the private collection (Castelloruscoli.com).
Frescoes and ghosts
In Tuscany, Villa di Corliano. The home is surrounded by fascinating legends.
In San Giuliano Terme, in the province of Pisa, there is Villa of Corlianohome of the fifteenth century decorated with frescoes by Andrea Boscoli and Giovan Battista Tempesti. It is part of a large complex consisting of the noble chapel, the farm, the oil mill, the stables and a five -hectare park.
The property, which also houses 12 rooms and a restaurant, was purchased in 1536 by the ancestors of Maria Teresa Agostini Venerosi della Setahead of Asdi Giovani Toscana, who, after 10 years abroad and a degree in Economics in Edinburgh, founded a company of “head hunters”. The idea of cultural events is responsible for preserving the centuries -old vocation of social, economic and cultural development of the territory.
A curiosity: the property is also known for the “visits” by characters from the past. It is no coincidence that Maria Teresa also organizes Ghosts in the villanight tours with the writer and “Vecchiappafantasmi” Andrea Valtriani, Looking for Teresa Schoolthe ancestor who lived in 1700, and of those who inspired Mary Shelley in the creation of Frankenstein. Children, but not only, appreciate (villadicorliano.it).
Sleep in historical homes
One of the rooms in which you can stay at the Castle of Thiene (in the province of Vicenza).
Apartment located on the main floor of Thiene Castle (in the province of Vicenza), private noble residence of the fifteenth century in Veneto. It preserves the charm of the past, with original frescoes, vintage furnishings, historical decorations and ancient paintings. Has 4 bedrooms and hosts 8 guests. Ideal base also to visit cities of art such as Venice and Verona. From 480 euros per night (Castelloithiene.com).
Deputy Palacehistorical residence, a Materawhich was started in the second half of the 16th century and ended in the eighteenth century, it has 14 bedrooms of different types. Has a Large panoramic terrace overlooking the ancient city, Gravina and Murgia park. Double from 180 euros (palazzoviceconte.it).
Acton Tenuta di Leporanobuilt by Princess Teresa Grimaldi in 1785 and today owned by the Acton principles of Leporano, it is located in the south of the Calabria. It has a village between centuries -old olive trees with 11 rooms. Double from 80 euros per night (Actondileporano.com).
Info: Italian Historical Houses Association (Adsi), tel. 06 68307426, Associazionadimorestoricheitaliane.it; Adsi.it