Castello Devachan, Historic villa in Sanremo, Italy
Castello Devachan is a historic villa in Sanremo featuring a central building with a circular entrance framed by four jasper columns and walls built entirely from rusticated stone sourced from the Capo Nero quarry. The structure now serves as a vacation residence while retaining its distinctive external design, though interior spaces have been substantially reconfigured.
The villa served as the venue for the San Remo Conference in April 1920, where Allied leaders made crucial decisions regarding territories from the former Ottoman Empire. This event elevated it to a significant location in post-war political negotiations.
The name Devachan comes from Tibetan Buddhism and reflects the owner John Horace Savile's fascination with Eastern cultures after his travels in Asia. You can sense this influence in the villa's design choices and overall character.
The property is visible from outside but generally not open to regular visitors, as it operates as a private vacation residence. It is best to inquire ahead about any opportunities to view the villa, given that interior modifications have made access limited.
The property features an iron gate that originally belonged to writer Gabriele D'Annunzio's residence, before he later acquired furniture pieces from this villa. This connection between two notable homes reveals the cultural ties among wealthy figures of the era.
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