18th-century Villa With A Panoramic Tower For Sale In Varese

On the Lombard Alpine foothills, near Varese, between Italy and Switzerland, there is this majestic residential complex for sale, one step away from the Swiss border. This vast property measures 4,200 sqm internally and has over 11 hectares of wonderful parkland. This estate includes a prestigious three-storey period Villa, dating back to the 17th century with a majestic red brick noble tower dating back to the 19th century. Furthermore, the property includes an 18th-century annex, a property for the staff that is directly connected to the villa, and an agricultural courtyard enclosed on three sides by the caretakers' homes and rural buildings.

Historically, the Villa briefly hosted both Napoleon I and Giuseppe Garibaldi during their war campaigns. In the noble tower, the signs of two cannons of the time are still visible. The first historical traces of this estate date back to 1289, as cited in the "Liber notitiae Sanctorum Mediolani" by Goffredo da Bussero. In the past, it was a Lombard castle and home of the Lombard feudal lords. Despite the destruction of the castle following the battles between the Seprio County and the Torriani adversaries led by Archbishop Ottone Visconti, the sacred buildings were spared.

Access to the agricultural courtyard is possible through the park of the villa or via pedestrian and driveway entrances. This vast property consists of the main villa with a garden, numerous rustic and rural buildings (stables, barns, dovecotes, garages for cars and agricultural trucks, accommodation for farmers, sheds, a well with spring water, greenhouses, and a chicken coop), in addition to the castle and the lookout tower which is 30 meters high, offering a panoramic view of the Bramoa valley.

The main villa, with a surface area of 1,500 sqm, is spread over three floors and is connected internally by a spacious decorated staircase. On the top floor, the lookout tower dominates the property, offering panoramic views of the Alps and nearby Switzerland. The tower, added later at the end of the 19th century, recalls the decorations of the villa. Built in the eighteenth century and now in need of renovation, the villa includes an internal courtyard closed on three sides, overlooked by the halls. The main villa has various floors, including the ground floor with a 440-sqm balcony, a 320-sqm first floor, a mezzanine floor and the 320-sqm attic, as well as the three-storey lookout tower.

The 11-hectare park is dotted with centuries-old trees and hosts a well with spring water, as well as two perfectly preserved sarcophagi from the Roman era and a tennis court. Part of the park includes a lovely 3,500-sqm garden, surrounded by walls and adorned with centuries-old plants, including a magnificent cedar of Lebanon. Furthermore, there is an ancient hunting lodge surrounded by centuries-old hornbeam trees, used in the past for bird hunting, with a tower of Lombard origin that overlooks the area. The water source is known as "Acqua Magnesia".

Located in the Lombard Alpine foothills, in a hilly area, this estate is immersed in lush and uncontaminated nature in the Varese plain. Its location offers spectacular views of the Monte Rosa mountain range, Monviso and the Swiss Alpine foothills, including the Monte Generoso and Bella Ticinese mountains. This property is ideal for those who wish to escape the frenzy of city life and rediscover contact with nature, without giving up the comforts of big cities. It is located just thirty minutes from Lugano and Milan Malpensa airport.