Palazzo Vertemate Franchi

Built in the second half of the 16th century by the Vertemate Franchi brothers, wealthy merchants from Valchiavenna, the villa stands in a privileged position that allowed it to survive the landslide of 1618, which destroyed the nearby village of Piuro. A harmonious landscape surrounds the palace, including vineyards, orchards, vegetable gardens, an Italian-style garden with a double-exedra fishpond, and a chestnut grove on the mountain slope. These cultivated areas, preserved over the centuries, bear witness to the deep connection between the residence and its surrounding landscape.

After a period of neglect between the 19th and 20th centuries, the villa was restored and furnished with period pieces. Since 1988, it has been a House Museum owned by the Municipality of Chiavenna, which has overseen its restoration and enhancement, gradually extending the museum experience to include the gardens and historic cultivated areas.

The exterior, elegant yet understated, gives little indication of the richness of the interiors. Beyond the rusticated stone portal, visitors enter a frescoed atrium featuring allegories of the four elements and deities such as Juno, Ceres and Bacchus, symbols of the relationship between humankind and nature. The rooms reflect the refined taste of the owners, with carved and decorated wooden ceilings, frescoes inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, and richly furnished interiors.

Among the most striking rooms are the Hall of Juno, decorated with inlaid wood and dated 1577, the Hall of Mercury and Jupiter, and the spectacular Zodiac Hall, where the signs of the zodiac are intertwined with the agricultural activities associated with each month of the year. The upper floors contain the guest bedrooms, including the Bishop’s Room and the room dedicated to Giosuè Carducci, who visited the villa during his stays in Madesimo.

Today, Palazzo Vertemate Franchi is not only a historic residence but also a true cultural centre. Concerts, events and guided visits take place among its gardens, vineyard and panoramic views over the valley, allowing visitors to rediscover the beauty of a place where art, nature and history continue to engage in dialogue over time.