SHARRYLAND
Where is
What it is and where it is
Today it is the headquarters of the Ticino and Lake Maggiore Park Authority, but Villa Picchetta di Cameri was a stately residence within an agricultural complex already mentioned in the 16th century. The villa consists of a hall, known as "dell'Ottagono" with its grotesque frescoes, several rooms, one of which is dominated by a mighty fireplace, an entrance porch with landscape decorations, and three gardens with fountains. Cascina Picchetta, of which the villa is the centerpiece, still has several cottages and the small community church.
Why it is special
The interior decoration and the succession of courtyards-gardens-fountains transport the visitor to a bygone era of families of different social levels: here the owners, nobles in some periods, outside the workers, who took care of the farm. In fact, the villa is still immersed in an interesting agricultural setting, among rice fields, orchards, meadows and woods, overlooking the Ticino Park. Last to arrive are the lavender crops that attract visitors and photographers.
Not to be missed
Garden events such as OrTicino are always particularly successful. The setting is that of elegant Italian gardens with large fountains, where people talk about agriculture, fruit and vegetables, gardening and the environment.
A bit of history
Villa Picchetta has an original U-shaped plan with turrets placed at the corners. In the center stands out a scenic tiburium with lantern. We know that in 1575 in the estates of a Milanese noblewoman named Lucrezia Cioccara there was "la Ghisolfa cum domo dicta la Pichetta." An agricultural complex with woods, vineyards, meadows, stables, productive buildings and a large "palatium." In later centuries the palace was enlarged and became the property of the Jesuits, whose order was later suppressed. It then passed to various noble families, until 1989 when it was purchased by the Ticino Park.
Trivia
Like any self-respecting villa, Villa Picchetta has several ghostly legends, from the little girl in one of the garden fountains to the woman in the tower (even a well-known themed TV show devoted an episode to this certainly evocative building).
The hall of grotesques
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