INSPIRATION
Villa de Vecchi
“Art is never finished, only abandoned.”
Leonardo Da Vinci
Felix De Vecchi, a Count who had traveled many parts of the world and been a soldier came home to Italy. He bought with him a passion for the East which is reflected in the home he was about to create Villa de Vecchi.
Only in his thirties, it was a time of travel and romance. I imagine him wandering the area near Lake Como and deciding on the perfect place to build his summer house.
He chose the architect Alessandro Sidoli, and work progressed. The many innovations included are well documented, such as the use of heating tubes within the walls similar to those used today. Serving hatches were used to bring food from the kitchens to the upper floors, and the fountain was able to shoot into the air using pressure from the slope of the mountain.
It was a home created with passion and imagination. Extensive gardens and parkland were planted, a keepers house built, parties held, and many summers were spent living a charmed life.
Exquisite decorative fresco’s covered the walls and ceilings, in the hall there are the remains of a grand piano and a huge fireplace in the next room. We can only begin to imagine how glorious it must have been.
Villa de Vecchi was a stunning work created from the imagination of both men.
That it still brings forth such a response so many years later is a fitting testament to the creative genius of these men.
Sadly Alessandro was not to see the final result, he died a year before completion.
The count and his family were said not to live a full and happy life together at the Villa. It’s been reported that one day he returned home to find his wife murdered, her face disfigured and his daughter missing. He searched the woods for weeks without finding a trace. Distraught he killed himself. I do not in any way say this story is the truth but it is the popular story of what happened.
It was 1862, he was only forty six years old.
After his death the house was passed to his brother Biagio, who at the end of the sixties completely removed the Eastern influence from the keepers house replacing the dome and decorations with stone. The Count’s family owned Villa de Vecchi and spent many summers in it’s beauty till the early forties.
Abandoned for the next twenty years it was sold and has had a number of owners.
This glorious dream a young man began so many years ago fell into decay, the pipes that had been so innovative helping in it’s downfall as they slowly broke within the walls. Vandals and time began the process which continues today.
The urban legend grows with talk of ghosts and tragedy.
Even as I look at these images I can picture Felix De Vecchi strolling through the grounds notebook in hand, dreams in his heart. Those who fell in love with the house and it’s beauty are attempting to save it. The process is complex yet I can only hope it succeeds.
Perhaps the legacy of Felix De Vecchi and Alessandro Sidoli will live on, with help not only from those close by but from all over the world. His story and that of Villa De Vecchi will one day be fully told and shared.
Please note every effort has been made to verify the above information for Villa de Vecchi, if you are able to update, correct or give any further information I would be very happy to hear from you. ciao lisa
images ~ 1 ~ 2 ~ 4 ~ 5 ~ 7 ~ 8 ~ 9 ~ 10 ~ 11
further resources ~ Valsassina News ~ Salviami the Villa (fb) ~ Flickr Jeff Kerwin
and the gang x
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Hi Lisa
Like you I’m fascinated by the story of this family and how little information is actually available about them.
I suspect that perhaps Felix was not the first name of the De Vecchi patriarch. (Being a VERY un Italian name for the 1800’s) despite what has been reported. If in fact his name was Felix, it’s unlikely he was a native Italian and so his last name may not have been De Vecchi but was adopted for the villa. Lake Como has been an attraction for overseas residents long before George Clooney discovered it 🙂
His interest and influence by eastern architecture is very interesting considering a De Vecchi family were involved in silk trading in India in the 1800’s. They were Italian and the business was very influential. The villa would have been a very expensive project so I imagine he came from great wealth and of some social standing. If that was the case it seems impossible that all records of him and the ‘murder’ would have disappeared.
I’ll be digging a little deeper about this and let you know what I find
I look forward to whatever you find out, Anna.
We are both hooked right Jeff xxx
I searched for ages looking for information but not speaking Italian made it difficult. I’d love to know the real story and if you find out anything would be fascinated to hear and share.I would think he came from wealth and considering how innovative the house was for it’s day then maybe it would be easier to track the architect and then the owner. So wonderful to hear from you and to find someone else in love with this story and it’s characters. My friend Jeff Kerwin is also in love with the story and went to the Villa in person xx
ciao ciao lisa
Greetings Lisa. I have, only today, found this Villa and amazing story quite by accident through websites and this Forum. There are no words, just a chasm in my heart.
Thanks for digging. What you say about the Italian? de Vecchi family, in India makes a lot of sense. I am sure that most of that is verifiable, as you say. Just to get a sense of the sheer scale, beauty and ingenuity of this once magnificent Villa would have required an incredible amount of wealth. I also get a feel of insane jealousy perpetrated through the horrific murder and disappearance of his wife and daughter and the taking of his own life! No I am not psychic, its just that why would someone want to do that to such love and beauty. One thinks maybe he unjustly created some enemies quite unbeknown to him, somewhere in his travels.
Lisa, I do hope I might be so lucky to hear from you in the future if you find out more of this hauntingly beautiful tragedy.
Kind regards,
Ann.
South Gippsland,
VIC, Australia.
Ciao Ann, it’s so nice to hear from you and know that others are as moved by this story as I am. I’d love to further research this family and the story of the Villa. They must have had incredible vision back then to create something of such beauty. I’m really not sure how much of this is fact and how much myth but I could imagine his grief and anguish and the loss of wife and daughter must have been horrific. ciao love lisa xx
I pray to God is can be saved. I wonder if there was someone who would be willing to be a private donor to save the sight. I wish I was rich enough. I saw someone mentioned that a few questionable people owned this house. You can find out who owned a building by looking into ownership records which could be found at town hall, I have no idea how that would translate in Italy, but records should be there and open to the public. That might help 🙂 I love this house so much, I pray that it is saved.
It seems that the Villa has many passionate people looking to save it, I hope they can prevail. I’m not really interested in the ‘questionable people’ rather those who had a dream and saw it realized. The story has always struck me as romantic and finally tragic…..if any spirits really do exist at Villa de Vecchi I wish them peace and rest x
La villa e bellissima. Com’e, che nessuno l’ha comprato fino adesso ?
Non e per vendere ? Fra poco sara rovinata completamente.
They are trying to save it but I fear that it is in vain x
Grazi mille Lisa for such a lovely view of the Villa de Vecchi. I lived in Firenze for some time and heard so many stories about this home. I was also told there was at one time a “reward” for staying overnight in the home to report on what was haunting this place and then the government put a stop to it. Do you know if there is any truth to this? My son-in-law in the Caribiniere told me about this place. He told me he didn’t really know if any of this information was true and it was much talked about when he was young. Again, Mille grazi for this fascinating piece of Italia.
Hi Kelli, It seems the stories are various and I like to think that if the house is haunted it is with the spirit of those who built it and created it with love. It seems from what I’ve read that the house was taken over by some creepy people at one stage. I wonder how to find the truth, I looked for some time and tried to go back to old newspapers etc just didn’t know where to start. It is such a fascinating story and the house seems to capture the imagination of all who see it! thanks for letting me know you liked the post, ciao lisa x
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ALMOST feel has if I have seen it.DOVE questa Bellisima CASA?
Ciao Ciao, the Villa is at Cortenova, Lecco Italy and if you follow the fb links you can join in on the campaign to save the property. It is stunning and certainly haunting ciao lisa x
I have been restoring heritage homes all my life but this one takes the cake, when I look at the photo’s I still see a life in this house even in it’s dilapidated state, it has a living quality about it, would love to restore this one, such stories it could tell us. Thank you for sharing .
I will be visiting Italy for the first time in September 2013 and would dearly love to visit this house in my 6 week stay. ciao.
Hi Michael,
I totally agree with you on this one, it would be fantastic to see it restored to all it’s glory. You will certainly have lots to see when you get to Italy especially as a first timer. If you do happen to get to Villa Di Vecchi get in touch with the photographer Jeff Kerwin whom I mention in the other post about the villa I’m sure he could give you some info on how to find it and who to talk with.
ciao and look forward to hearing how your trip goes!
lisa
What an incredible house and history. Even in it’s current state, it’s beautiful.
I imagine it slowly being engulfed by nature until it is no more, a beautiful dream to restore. ciao lisa
Oh Lisa, I’m gutted by this story, even though it’s so old. I can’t imagine this poor man’s grief, pain and loss. 🙁 How I hope that some loving soul will come along and restore love and happiness to this place. XO
Hey Krista we really are big softies aren’t we! I was also moved by this story and wanted to create something that told a reflection of the truth (as I could find it).
I still don’t know the entire truth of the Count’s story but hope to keep uncovering those with the knowledge of the real story.
ciao love lisa x