Did you know that Villa Visconti Banfi in Rho once had an axis stretching over 1500 meters? It reached all the way to the Olona river. Today we stand in front of a building with a rich past. This is Villa Visconti Banfi. It stands on Rho’s central square.
Villa Visconti Banfi is more than just a building. It is a piece of history. The Visconti family, feudal lords of Rho since 1535, started it all. By 1669 the main part of the Villa Visconti Banfi was complete. Later in the 1800s two wings were added. These created the courtyard you see now.
Imagine this square. It was once part of the villa’s front courtyard. It used to be a garden of about 105 meters wide and 70 meters deep. This open space allowed everyone to fully appreciate the villa’s grandeur.
Girolamo Quadrio, a student of Carlo Bassi, designed Villa Visconti Banfi. Federico Bianchi, Giovanni Ghisolfi, Antonio Busca, and Andrea Lanzani decorated it. Their work turned the villa into a true work of art.
Walk with me through the three-bay archway. Notice the paired columns. This creates a visual connection between the square, the courtyard, and the garden behind us. This effect was even stronger in the 17th and 18th centuries. Back then the park was twice its current size.
Villa Visconti Banfi served as a country retreat. The owners would come here to escape city life. However, in the 1800s, economic pressures led to the garden being used for farming.
Inside the portico, look for a damaged statue. It represents Abundance. She holds a cornucopia. This statue is all that remains of a large round fountain. Statues of sandstone used to surround it. The fountain was the heart of the Italian-style garden.
In 1690 the Visconti family diverted the Riale stream to feed the fountain and irrigate the garden. The stream brought water from the Olona River. When the stream dried up, the fountain was removed.
Villa Visconti Banfi has seen changes over the years. In 1920 the main hall was demolished. The side wings now hold offices and services. The central part is still a residence. Some parts of it are unused.
Stepping inside Villa Visconti Banfi is like stepping back in time. You can almost hear the echoes of the past. The villa stands as a testament to the Visconti family. It reflects their influence on Rho. Take a moment to appreciate Villa Visconti Banfi. Consider its history and its place in the heart of Rho.