Villa Durazzo, Historical park museum in Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy.
Villa Durazzo is a former aristocratic residence overlooking Santa Margherita Ligure, with elegant interior spaces preserved from the 17th century onward. The estate spans multiple levels featuring formal gardens, decorated fireplaces, and wall frescoes that tell the story of its inhabitants.
The building was constructed in 1678 as a country residence for the Durazzo family, one of Genoa's most powerful dynasties. Its predecessor was a 16th-century fortification that protected the coast from raids before being transformed into this grand villa.
The name Villa Durazzo reflects a wealthy Genoese family whose influence shaped this coastal community for generations. The rooms reveal how the nobility of that era lived, with furnishings and objects that show their everyday customs and tastes.
The site is accessible via a walking path from the town center that climbs uphill and requires sturdy footwear. The interior spaces are challenging for visitors with mobility aids due to multiple stairways connecting the various levels.
The entrance hall was originally designed as an open gathering space for concerts and assemblies rather than as a conventional entry corridor. This unusual room layout shows how noble families used their homes to host social events and performances.
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