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Bollate (Milan, Italy): Villa Arconati
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 Villa Arconati, also known as the Castellazzo, is located in Castellazzo fraction of Bollate, within the Groane Park, just outside the borders of Milan.
The Villa is still flanked, as originally, by a large park in French style, by a rural village and by the church of San Guglielmo (the last two not shown on this page). It is an example of late Lombard baroque of the eighteenth century and is a national monument.
Villa Arconati was founded in 1610 starting from an ancient medieval core purchased by Galeazzo Arconati to make it a meeting and entertainment place for friends and guests, in accordance with the teachings of the Atlantic Code of Leonardo da Vinci (donated by Galeazzo Arconati in 1637 to the Library Ambrosiana, where it is now). The park is so enriched by sculptures, fountains, water features, exotic plants and animals. On the other side, in the museum works of art of great value were accumulated, including works by Parmigianino, Tiziano and even the Atlantic Code of Leonardo da Vinci and an imposing statue of Tiberius, said being of Pompey the Great.
Gradually expanded, Villa Arconati touched its peak in the eighteenth century, coming to own a large H structure comprising the west the entrance courtyard with its imposing front side, and to the east the noble court, with the inner porch overlooking the garden.
In 1772 the villa passed to the family Busca and in the twentieth century to Crivelli. In 1990 the complex was bought by a property company.
After a long period of decline, only a few years ago the villa has been returned open to visitors and restoration works still in progress are restoring a little piece by piece its original beauty. Unfortunately the interior furnishings and almost all the works of art have been sold or were otherwise lost. The villa currently houses the Augusto Rancilio Foundation, committed in a project of restoration and cultural conversion of the villa, as well as in the promotion of cultural and educational activities.
Although in many places the action of time has left its mark, the richness and the beauty of the decorations, the spaciousness and the impressive structure of the park make the complex of Villa Arconati a real treasure of art and history, able to strike and captivate the visitor.
Characteristic feature the many frescoed and decorated ceilings with extensive use of the technique of trompe-l'oeil, in particular to suggest the illusion of rooms with no ceiling.
A special mention is deserved by the great grand staircase, which houses a copy of the Laocoon, and by the Ballroom on the main floor, the ceiling of which hosts frescoes of the Chariot of the Sun, The Fall of Phaeton and the Allegory of Time. These paintings of mythological scenes, framed by great architecture trompe-l'oeil, are the most prestigious works of the brothers Galliari, painters and set designers of the Teatro alla Scala in Milan.
Villa Arconati is currently open for a fee. All details on the web site www.villaarconati.it/
Categories: Places of historical value of artistic value
Castellazzo di Bollate • 20021 Bollate (MI) |
Further pictures of Villa Arconati in the section Photography |