“Tesoro nascosto” is what the locals whisper when they speak about Villa Botta Adorno. This magnificent villa stands before you. It is a testament to artistry and history.
Villa Botta Adorno rose from the vision of Antoniotto Botta Adorno. He was a prominent figure in the 18th century. Reconstruction of the family’s previous home began in 1766. The villa is located in Torre d’Isola near the Ticino River. It is about ten kilometers upstream from Pavia.
Let’s rewind to 1492. Ducal official Bergonzio Botta leased a farmhouse with a tower. He leased it from Carlo Arlotti. The land belonged to the monastery of San Lanfranco. In 1497 Bergonzio acquired the land. He obtained permission through a papal bull. He had to pay an annual fee to San Lanfranco. Bergonzio’s will in 1504 described the estate. It included a house with stables and a garden. The estate also had the farmhouses of San Varese and Boschetto. The farmland measured about 508 hectares.
Barnabo Botta Adorno’s will in 1700 revealed renovations to the house. The building had two floors. Some rooms were frescoed. There was also a house for the factor. In 1703 Giacomo Botta Adorno commissioned the church of Santa Maria della Neve. Girolamo Bossi designed it. It stands next to the palace.
In the 1720s the villa had three buildings. They were arranged around a large central courtyard. The church of Santa Maria della Neve was in the northeast corner. Giacomo Botta Adorno acquired more land in the area. This included properties with mills presses and a tavern. In 1760 Giacomo’s properties passed to his brothers Alessandro and Antoniotto. Antoniotto managed them.
Antoniotto was a marshal in the imperial army. He was a minister and ambassador. In 1766 he returned to Pavia after years in Tuscany. He used funds from Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo I to rebuild the villa. The complex was almost finished in 1773. Interior decorations were still in progress. Work slowed because of underground springs. Channels were built to divert the water. The courtyard and ground floor were raised by over a meter. In 1882 Clementina Botta Adorno died. The villa passed to the Litta Modignani and then the Morelli di Popolo families.
The Villa Botta Adorno has a U-shaped layout. Two lateral wings flank a central courtyard. The eastern wing connects to the church of Santa Maria della Neve. The main facade faces the courtyard. It features five windows on the first floor. They align with the portico’s five arches below. Tuscan columns support the portico. The lateral wings have a ground floor and a mezzanine. Arches lead to two entrance halls. One connects to the farm. The other opens to the countryside. The western wing houses the villa’s large stables. Ionic columns support the stables.
The south-facing facade connects to the garden. A double staircase provides access. The windows are topped with alternating triangular and semicircular tympani. The ground floor portico has granite slabs in a herringbone pattern. Elliptical niches with busts decorate the portico. A staircase leads to the first-floor gallery. The villa’s rooms feature painted decorations and fireplaces. Some date back to the 1760s and 1770s. Others are from the 19th century.
Legend whispers that Antoniotto’s ghost still roams the villa. They say he seeks a hidden treasure. Perhaps he’s still searching for the lost treasure of the Republic of Genoa. His coat of arms is displayed throughout the villa. It serves as a reminder of the high-ranking marshal.
Today Villa Botta Adorno is still inhabited by the descendants of its original owners. The villa hosts private events and weddings. Its beautiful architecture and rich history make it a unique place. Take a moment to appreciate the beauty and history.