Villa Zanelli, Art Nouveau villa in Legino, Savona, Italy
Villa Zanelli is a three-story building in the Liberty style, located in the Legino district of Savona, with curved window frames, floral ornaments, and a wide facade facing the coast. The building sits on a plot that reaches down to the beach, so the full facade can be seen clearly from the seafront.
The building was constructed in 1907 by architects Gottardo Gussoni and Pietro Fenoglio for ship captain Nicolò Zanelli. During the Second World War it was used as a military hospital, after which it returned to private hands.
The facade and interior of Villa Zanelli are decorated with floral and wave motifs that echo the nearby coast. These patterns run throughout the building and reflect how closely the original owner's life was tied to the sea.
Visits are generally only possible through guided tours, which tend to run on weekends and during spring months. Tours are usually held in Italian, so it is worth keeping that in mind when planning your visit.
Red cross markings from the period when the building served as a military hospital during the Second World War are still visible on the outer walls. These traces are rare on a building otherwise known mainly for its decorative artwork.
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