La Decina, 18th century villa in Marano di Napoli, Italy
La Decina is a villa in Marano di Napoli whose present appearance dates largely to the early 20th century, when painter Camillo Guerra gave it an eclectic stamp. The building, designed by Dante Tassotti, has a markedly rural look: a double body with a tower bearing hanging arches, a corner balcony and a Catalan portal. Beside it stands a second block with elliptical arches and a portico above. It is built mostly of tuff, with some parts in piperno.
The villa was built in the first half of the 18th century and remains the only surviving architectural example from that period in the area. In the 19th century, painter Camillo Guerra acquired the property and his influence contributed to the development of Neapolitan architectural styles.
The name comes from a oak called "decina" or "regina" that stood in the villa's wooded garden. The property passed to painter Camillo Guerra in the 19th century and is still held by the Guerra family, who gave the building its eclectic early-20th-century look. The Letizia group has recently begun restoration work.
The building is currently in a state of deterioration and is protected by Naples' Architectural Heritage Superintendence. Visitors can observe the architectural features from outside, though access to the interior may be limited due to the structure's condition.
The villa's name comes from a large oak in its grounds, nicknamed "decina" or "regina". The building is protected by the Soprintendenza per i Beni Ambientali e Architettonici di Napoli e Provincia, which cites the adjoining small park with tall trees among the area's typical species as an integral part of the property.
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