Can you feel the weight of history emanating from these grand walls? Villa Ottolini Tovaglieri stands before us, not just as a beautiful building, but as a symbol of Busto Arsizio’s industrial boom. This majestic villa, completed in 1903, was commissioned by Enrico Ottolini. Enrico was one of the sons of Carlo Ottolini, a prominent textile manufacturer who owned the renowned Ottolini cotton mill. The villa’s very existence speaks volumes about the economic power wielded by the industrialist families of Busto Arsizio. The design of Villa Ottolini Tovaglieri was entrusted to the talented architect Camillo Crespi Balbi, a favorite of the Ottolini family. Interestingly, Crespi Balbi chose to design the villa in the style of a grand city palazzo, even though it’s located on the outskirts of the old town. Look closely at the intricate wrought ironwork on the gates and railings. These masterpieces, crafted by Alessandro Mazzucotelli, feature leaves and fruits of the horse chestnut tree, adding a delicate touch to the imposing facade. Villa Ottolini Tovaglieri, now home to the town’s Department of Culture, invites us to reflect on the legacy of Busto Arsizio’s industrial past.
Nuovo Cimitero di Cologno Monzese
“A timeless sanctuary,” the old woman whispered, her gaze fixed on the rows of marble within Nuovo Cimitero di Cologno