Villa on the Shore of Lake Maggiore

Villa on the Shore of Lake Maggiore

On the shores of Lake Maggiore, along one of the most elegant and historically significant stretches of the waterfront, stands a villa whose story remained known for decades only to a highly select circle.

A residence once belonging to the elite of Northern Italy, connected to prominent figures in architecture, landscape design, and the entrepreneurial culture of its era, it remained for many years one of the lake’s most private and discreet estates.

Today, more than a century after its construction, the villa quietly reveals the story of its remarkable past.

Between the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries (circa 1900–1905), lawyer Antonio Casanova carefully selected this exceptional lakeside site.

The land had previously belonged to Enrico Rovelli, one of the leading landscape designers of the late nineteenth century, renowned for his collections of rare plants and camellias that helped shape the botanical identity of the Piedmont shore of Lake Maggiore.

Captivated by the location, Casanova commissioned the construction of an eclectic-style villa distinguished by Tuscan and Corinthian pilasters, rigorous façade symmetry, and a prominent base overlooking the water.

From its inception, the residence was conceived as a harmonious synthesis of architecture and landscape, a principle that has defined its identity throughout the decades.

In the mid-twentieth century, the villa acquired a new cultural dimension.

In 1952, the park underwent a transformation designed by Piero Portaluppi, one of the most influential Italian architects of the twentieth century. His project reshaped the gardens into a theatrical landscape of perspectives, visual axes, and filtered light beneath mature trees, creating a continuous dialogue with the lake.

The garden thus became a true second façade of the villa.

Today, the property presents itself as a significant private architectural and landscape estate.

The total built area extends to 2,344 sqm, of which approximately 1,960 sqm are currently inhabited or habitable. The grounds cover 24,000 sqm of meticulously maintained parkland featuring mature trees, rare botanical species, and extensive areas of complete privacy.

In addition to the main villa, the estate includes two independent buildings that complement the residence and can accommodate a variety of residential or service-related uses. A third building, formerly used for storing produce from the orchard and vegetable garden, remains alongside its original greenhouse, although the orchard and vegetable garden are no longer in operation.

An exceptionally rare feature of the property is its privately owned boathouse, complete with direct lake access and its own private garden—an extraordinarily exclusive amenity within the Lake Maggiore area.

Today, this villa represents far more than an elegant lakeside residence. It is a unique heritage asset where history, architecture, landscape design, and a direct relationship with the water come together in a truly irreplaceable setting.

**Disclaimer:** The information provided herein is for guidance purposes only and does not constitute any contractual obligation. All details are subject to verification prior to any formal agreement.

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