Valchiavenna
Palazzo Vertemate Franchi is one of the finest examples of Lombard Renaissance architecture and one of Valchiavenna's most iconic landmarks, where art, history, architecture and the surrounding landscape come together to tell the story of the deep connection between the residence and its territory.
Visiting Palazzo Vertemate Franchi means discovering a Renaissance residence set in the peaceful surroundings of Prosto di Piuro, where frescoed halls, historic interiors, Italian-style gardens and centuries-old vineyards preserve the charm of a truly unique place.
Built in the second half of the 16th century by the Vertemate Franchi brothers, wealthy merchants from Valchiavenna, the palace stands in Prosto di Piuro. Its location allowed it to escape the devastating landslide of 1618, which destroyed the nearby village of Piuro.
Surrounding the villa is a harmonious cultural landscape of vineyards, orchards, vegetable gardens, an elegant Italian-style garden with a double exedra fishpond, and a chestnut grove climbing the mountainside. Preserved through the centuries, these cultivated areas reflect the deep connection between the residence and the surrounding valley.
After a period of neglect during the 19th and early 20th centuries, Palazzo Vertemate Franchi was carefully 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 route to include the historic gardens and cultivated grounds.
Its understated exterior gives way to interiors of remarkable artistic value. Beyond the rusticated stone portal, visitors enter a frescoed entrance hall decorated with allegories of the four elements and the figures of Juno, Ceres and Bacchus, celebrating the relationship between humankind and nature. The rooms feature finely carved and decorated wooden ceilings, frescoes inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, and richly furnished interiors that reflect the refined taste of the family’s owners.
Among the most remarkable rooms are the Sala di Giunone (Juno Room), entirely panelled in inlaid wood and dated 1577, the Sala di Mercurio e Giove (Mercury and Jupiter Room), and the Salone dello Zodiaco (Zodiac Hall), where the zodiac signs are intertwined with the agricultural activities of each month of the year. The upper floors house the guest rooms, including the Bishop’s Room and the room dedicated to Giosuè Carducci, who stayed at the villa during his visits to Madesimo.
Today, Palazzo Vertemate Franchi is a vibrant cultural landmark where history, art and nature continue to come together through guided tours, concerts and events that celebrate the monumental complex, its gardens, vineyards and the surrounding landscape.
Entrance Hall of Palazzo Vertemate Franchi: Deities, Symbols and the Four Elements
The hall opens beneath a vaulted ceiling decorated with elegant geometric and floral motifs, while the walls are articulated by allegorical figures and deities from the classical world. Hercules, Neptune, Saturn and Vulcan are depicted as representations of the four fundamental elements: air, water, earth and fire. The choice of this theme is far from […]
Gardens of Palazzo Vertemate Franchi: The Historic Gardens of the Villa
The outdoor route first leads visitors to the Italian garden, laid out according to a geometric design and enhanced by the ornamental fish pond with its double exedra balustrade. At the centre stands a fountain featuring the statue of Hercules, while the wall facing the road still preserves traces of the original frescoes dedicated to […]
Hall of the Zodiac at Palazzo Vertemate Franchi
The room stands out for the richness of its decoration. The walls are entirely covered with frescoes, while the ceiling is enhanced by a magnificent carved wooden covering, regarded as one of the artistic masterpieces of the palace. The large central coffer, distinguished by its refined interplay of carving and volume, is dominated by the […]
Passito Vertemate: The Elegance of Time Between History and Vineyards
When people think of dessert wines, they often imagine sun-drenched Mediterranean landscapes. Yet among the Alps of Valchiavenna, an extraordinary passito wine is produced from grapes grown in a historic vineyard dating back to the 16th century. Harvest takes place in mid-September. The grapes are carefully picked and left to dry naturally for four months […]
The Rooms of Palazzo Vertemate Franchi: Frescoes and Wooden Ceilings
Passing through the entrance portal, visitors arrive in the entrance hall, one of the palace’s most spectacular spaces. Here, the contrast between the restrained exterior and the richness of the interior decoration immediately reveals the elegance of the residence. The walls depict Hercules, Neptune, Saturn and Vulcan, interpreted as allegories of the four elements: air, […]
Wine Press and Ice House of Palazzo Vertemate Franchi: The Agricultural Buildings
The eastern side of the complex is home to the rural area, where buildings once used for managing the agricultural estate can still be seen. Some of these structures even predate the construction of the palace, bearing witness to the site’s long-standing rural vocation. Among the most important features is the screw wine press, used […]
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