Villa Greppi-Gonzaga

Did the walls of Villa Greppi-Gonzaga whisper secrets? I find myself wondering that here, standing before this grand estate in Olgiate Olona. Villa Greppi-Gonzaga has seen centuries of history unfold. It has housed nobility, students, and even children in need of care. The original structure dates back to the 17th century. Marchese Giovanni Paolo Molo commissioned the current building in the 1750s. The neoclassical facade, with its imposing tympanum and long balcony supported by Doric columns, hints at the elegance within. Inside Villa Greppi-Gonzaga, vast frescoed rooms once held a library, art collections, and natural history specimens. A private, neo-Gothic chapel dedicated to the Holy Cross adds to the villa’s unique character. After Molo, the villa passed through several hands. The Castelli family owned it for a time. In 1820, it became the property of Count Alessandro Greppi. His wife, Isaura Saulx Tavanes, further enhanced the villa and its park, adding fir trees and oaks. Later, the Gonzaga family inherited the estate. Emanuele Gonzaga sold the unfurnished villa in the early 20th century. It became the Collegio Gonzaga, a school for girls run by the Pie Signore della Presentazione di Como. In 1918, the Opera di Prevenzione Antitubercolare Infantile (O.P.A.I.) acquired Villa Greppi-Gonzaga. It served as a children’s healthcare facility until the 1970s. The famous illustrator Antonio Rubino, known for his work in “Il Corriere dei Piccoli,” decorated some of the rooms with whimsical tempera paintings in 1936. These delightful frescoes feature fairytale characters and animals, adding a touch of magic to the villa’s atmosphere. One restored room, the Sala Alba, showcases Rubino’s vibrant artistry. Today, Villa Greppi-Gonzaga belongs to the municipality of Olgiate Olona. Parts of it house municipal offices, a library, and a retirement home. Other sections, sadly, remain abandoned. As we admire Villa Greppi-Gonzaga, we’re reminded of its layered history and its potential for renewed life. The echoes of its past still resonate within these walls.