Valchiavenna
The gardens of Palazzo Vertemate Franchi are one of the most distinctive features of the entire monumental complex in Prosto di Piuro. Designed as an integral part of the Renaissance residence, they still preserve the original relationship between architecture, landscape and agricultural activity that characterised the history of the Vertemate Franchi family.
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 water and the sea.
Descending from the garden, visitors reach the large orchard, which offers a striking view of the western façade of the palace, framed by the small church and the mountains of the Val Bregaglia. The landscaped grounds also include the vineyard, vegetable gardens and chestnut grove, bearing witness to the agricultural vocation that shaped life at the villa for centuries.
The chestnut grove is one of the most characteristic areas of the estate. From here it is possible to overlook the palace’s northern courtyard, an intimate and shaded space that highlights the harmonious relationship between the building and its natural surroundings.
Visiting the gardens of Palazzo Vertemate Franchi means discovering a historic landscape where nature, cultivation and architecture still coexist according to the original Renaissance design, offering one of the most captivating views in the Valchiavenna.
Piazza Caduti per la Libertà, 4
23022 Chiavenna (SO)
0343 37485
consorzioturistico@valchiavenna.com
Valchiavenna
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