Brochure Liguria FAI_eng

30 31OTHER FAI PROPERTIES IN ITALYOPEN TO THE PUBLICOpening May 2008MANTA CASTLEManta (CN)Tel. +39 0175 87822Home to one of the mostremarkable collections ofinternational Gothic painting: a setof frescoes depicting “Heroes andHeroines” contrasts with themysterious portrayal of the“Fountain of Youth”. The castlecomplex is the fruit of a successionof extensions to the original 13thcentury stronghold; it wasembellished in the 16th centurywith the construction of the elegant"grotesque" hall and a fine gallerywith frescoes. The nearby parishchurch also features somesplendid 15th century frescoes.MASINO CASTLECaravino (TO)Tel. +39 0125 778100Over a thousand years ofPiedmontese and Italian history areencapsulated at the centre of thisvast and impressive 19th centurypark: the former residence of theValperga counts, descendants ofKing Arduino, the castle dominatesthe Canavese plains, and isembellished with frescoes andsumptuous furnishings.VILLA DELLA PORTA BOZZOLOCasalzuigno (VA)Tel. +39 0332 624136Built in the sixteenth century as acountry residence, in the 18thcentury the villa became aprestigious manor house, and wasenhanced with Rococo frescoesinside and an impressive terracedgarden with a splendid flight ofsteps outside.TORBA MONASTERYGonrate Olona (VA)Tel. +39 0331 820301Immersed in the green woods ofthe Varesotto, below Castelseprioarchaeological park, this was amilitary outpost towards the end ofthe Roman empire, then passedthrough the hands of the Gothsand Longobards before becoming aplace of work and prayer forBenedictine nuns. The towercontains rare examples of late 8thcentury frescoes.VILLA PANZA AND THE PANZACOLLECTIONVareseTel. +39 0332 283960Surrounded by magnificent Italiangardens, this 18th century villa isfamous throughout the world forthe collection of contemporary artthat Giuseppe Panza di Biumoamassed from the 1950's onwards:over a hundred works bycontemporary artists are displayedin the sumptuous halls and greatstables, in harmony with the finehistoric decor and preciouscollections of African and pre-Columbian art.VILLA DEL BALBIANELLOLenno (CO)Tel. +390344 56110This 18th century villa is one of themost romantic on Lake Como,perched on a spellbindingpromontory that drops sheer downto the lake, and surrounded by apanoramic garden. Inside you willfind precious English and French18th century furniture, a splendidcollection of Chinese, African andpre-Columbian art, and a museumexhibiting mementoes from theexploratory expeditions of the lastowner, count Monzino.GRUMELLO CASTLEMontagna in Valtellina (SO)Tel. +39 0342 380994A rare example of a twin castle,built around 1300, it was first aGhibelline post, before becomingthe residence of the bishop ofComo, and it overlooks theValtellina from a rocky outcropamidst the low vegetation.NECCHI CAMPIGLIO HOUSEMilanTel.+39 02 467615296Located in the heart of Milan, andsurrounded by a glorious garden,the Necchi Campiglio house wasbuilt to the design of the renownedarchitect Piero Portaluppi in 1935.Today its sumptuously decoratedinteriors faithfully reproduce theatmosphere of lively worldliness ofMilanese high society. Casa Necchiis also home to the precious de’Micheli collection.ALSO OPEN TO THEPUBLIC:OPENING SOON:BARESI MILLRoncobello (BG)Tel. +39 0346 84006Nominated in 2003 in the firstnational "places of your heart"census, and acquired by FAI withthe collaboration of the family ofMaurizio Gervasoni, the Baresi millis a repository for the historicalmemory of dozens of communities,which for centuries came here withthe basic foodstuffs that ensuredtheir very survival. It still houses apress for extracting walnut oil, aflour mill and evidence of anancient bread oven.AVIO CASTLESabbionara d’Avio (TN)Tel. +39 0464 684453One of the most captivating castlesin the Trentino region, this complexappears to echo the conformationof the hilly landscape with itsmighty walls, five towers, baron'spalace and the imposing keep.Inside we find the famous secularfrescoes of the “Guards' House”and the “Room of Love”, bothdating back to the 14th century.VETRIANO THEATREPescaglia (LU)Tel. +39 0583 358118Listed in the 1997 “Guinness Bookof Records” as the smallest historicpublic theatre in the world, theVetriano playhouse was built in1890. It is now used as a venue fora wide variety of performances.VILLA GREGORIANA PARKTivoli (RM)Tel. +39 06 39967701Villa Gregoriana was created in1835 by pope Gregory XVI as apublic park using the old bed ofthe river Aniene, following thedevastation of the floods in 1826.Throughout the 19th century it wasvisited by travellers, poets, artists,kings and emperors, who were allenchanted by the skilfully craftedbeauty of the park.BAY OF IERANTOMassa Lubrense (NA)Tel. +39 330 607282or +39 335 8410253On the southern coast of theSorrento peninsula, looking outtowards Capri's famous Faraglionistacks, lies the Bay of Ieranto, aplace of unspoilt beauty, and homeof the Sirens according to ancientlegend and poetry. A footpathallows us to fully enjoy its solemnbeauty: the sea, rocks, sands, greatrolling rocky hills covered withMediterranean scrub and olivetrees, farm cottages and the 16thcentury Montalto tower.KOLYMBETRA GARDENValley of Temples (AG)Tel. +39 335 1229042This authentic jewel of archaeologyand agriculture is located withinthe Valley of Temples park, where ithas been restored to its formersplendour after decades of neglect.Of particular interest are theancient hypogea or Aqueducts ofthe Phaeacians, dating back to the5th century BC., the only ones inthe Valley of the Temples that canbe visited. Crystal clear water stillsprings from them to this day, andis used to irrigate the ancient citrusand olive groves.VELATE TOWERVareseNINETEENTH CENTURYNEWS-STANDPiazza Canossa - MantovaVILLA DEI VESCOVILuvigliano (PD)CAMPATELLI HOUSE AND TOWERSan Gimignano (SI)