What echoes do you think linger within these walls? This is Villa Gromo di Ternengo. It stands in Robecco sul Naviglio near Milan. It’s a historic villa with a captivating past.
The area was once a medieval fort. The Pietrasanta family built it. They used it as an outpost. It guarded Robecco sul Naviglio. It stood between Ticino and Naviglio Grande. The navigable canal dates back to the late 13th century.
In 1340, Giovannolo Casati acquired the property. He transformed the fortified borough. It became a noble villa. The villa’s current appearance is thanks to later renovations. Danese Casati started them in 1679. He was the governor of Milan. His nephew Ferdinando Casati continued the work. After Ferdinando’s death in 1770, the villa remained unchanged. It then passed down through the female line. Ferdinando’s only daughter inherited it after his death.
In the 19th century, Cesare Pompeo Castelbarco lived here. He was the son of Maria Antonietta Litta Visconti Arese. His father was Carlo Ercole Castelbarco Visconti Simonetta. He was a Milanese politician and composer. Later, their daughter Elena married Lazzaro Negrotto Cambiaso. He was a nobleman from Genoa. He also served as a senator of the Kingdom of Italy. Gabriele D’Annunzio even visited the villa.
The villa’s name changed several times. It was brought as a wedding dowry. The eldest daughter passed it on. In 1884, Antonietta Negrotto Cambiaso married Emanuele Gromo Richelmy Conte di Ternengo. She was a descendant of the Casati family. Today, it is known as Villa Gromo di Ternengo.
The Gromo di Ternengo family still owns the villa. They also live here. However, they rent it out for events and ceremonies.
The villa has a U-shaped structure. This is typical for Lombard villas. The facade features a central section. It has a long portico with three arches. These arches rest on paired columns. Above the main floor is an attic. It connects with curvilinear triangles. The atrium is decorated with 18th-century landscape frescoes. It provides passage to the rear garden. Originally, this was the main entrance.
The complex borders the Naviglio Grande. It boasts a large English garden. It spans about 16 hectares. The small hill in the garden has an interesting story. It wasn’t always a grove. It was once the villa’s icehouse. The garden also features a siren statue. It is called Sirenella. It guided boatmen on the Naviglio.
Next to the villa is a rustic courtyard. It has a 19th-century carriage house and a lemon house. Near the courtyard are traces of medieval fortifications. A tower was converted into a dovecote.
The garden is a major highlight. It extends almost 800 meters. It covers a total of 16 hectares. Originally, it ended with a large niche. This is now disused. It happened after the park’s area was reduced. This was due to the sale of some land. Inside the park is a monumental icehouse. It is located under an artificial wooded hill.
Next to the villa is the church of San Francesco. It is down an alley. It has been recently restored. It served as the Casati family’s private chapel.
Villa Gromo di Ternengo blends history and beauty. Its walls have seen centuries pass. They have witnessed noble families and artistic inspiration. As you stand here, imagine the echoes of the past. Picture the elegant gatherings. Feel the weight of history. It is a testament to time.