Villa Zanelli, Art Nouveau villa in Legino, Savona, Italy
Villa Zanelli is a three-story residential building in Savona designed in Art Nouveau style with curved window frames, floral ornaments, and a grand facade overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea coast. The structure showcases the characteristic decorative features of the Liberty movement that dominated Italian design in the early 1900s.
The villa was built in 1907 by architects Gottardo Gussoni and Pietro Fenoglio for ship captain Nicolo Zanelli. During World War II, the building served as a military hospital and later returned to private use.
The decorative details feature flowers and sea-inspired patterns throughout the rooms and facade. These ornamental choices reflect the owner's connection to the coast and his wife's influence on the home's artistic direction.
The villa is open to visitors only through guided tours, which typically take place on weekends during spring months. It is recommended to arrive early and be prepared for tour information provided in Italian language.
Red cross markings remain visible on the exterior walls from the period when the building served as a military hospital during World War II. These marks are rare traces of wartime history on a structure otherwise known for its artistic heritage.
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