Villa della Torre

Villa Della Torre, located in Fumane in the Valpolicella region, is one of the most fascinating examples of Italian Renaissance architecture. Built around 1560, the villa is associated with the figure of Giulio Della Torre, a Veronese intellectual and humanist who wanted to create a place not only functional, but also dedicated to the well-being of the body and spirit. The villa represents a perfect combination of nature and architecture, reflecting the canons of ancient Roman domus with a central peristyle and a spatial arrangement that promotes contemplation and aesthetic pleasure. The architecture of Villa Della Torre is attributed to masters such as Giulio Romano, Michele Sanmicheli, and Giovanni Battista Scultori, who contributed to creating a unique structure with distinctive elements such as chimneys shaped like monsters, masks that spray water, and a cave that represents the entrance to hell. These chimneys, with their gaping mouths and vampire-like fangs, add a touch of drama and primitive brutality to the interiors of the villa. The complex develops along a central axis that connects various spaces, from the peristyle to the garden, to the cave and the octagonal temple, a path that symbolizes an ascending journey from materiality to spirituality. The cave, located at the lowest point of the villa, represents illusion and sin, while the temple, built as a small baptistery, symbolizes purity and eternal life. Villa Della Torre was also an important social and cultural center. During the Renaissance, it hosted illustrious guests, including the poet and courtesan Veronica Franco, who organized sumptuous banquets in honor of the Venetian doges. The villa, with its lush gardens and ornamental fountains, was the ideal place for these worldly events.