Villa Saporiti, Neoclassical architectural ensemble in Como, Italy.
Villa Saporiti, also called La Rotonda, is a neoclassical villa in Como's Borgo Vico district. Its central two-storey block is flanked by symmetrical wings: the west front has three arches between Doric columns, a balcony and a triangular pediment, while the east side forms a French rococo exedra with Ionic columns and six statues of Roman gods.
The building was constructed between 1790 and 1793 for Marchesa Eleonora Villani. The villa gained historical importance when it received a notable visit from a French military leader during the late 1790s.
The elliptical Hall of Honor has a vault decorated with stucco and frescoes modelled on designs by Giocondo Albertolli. A small round room holds a floor mosaic, busts of Roman emperors and paired pilasters with Medusa-head capitals. Many rooms keep chandeliers of Murano glass or Bohemian crystal, and part of the furniture in the so-called Etruscan room comes from Monguzzo castle.
The villa now serves as the headquarters of the Provincial Administration of Como and sits on Via Borgovico. Access is available during office hours, allowing visitors to explore the interior during regular working days.
The eastern side of the central block is an exedra called La Rotonda, inspired by French Rococo, with Ionic columns and pilasters. Six statues of Roman gods crown it: Jupiter, Juno, Mars, Venus, Apollo and Neptune. Five water nymphs appear in the medallions above the arched windows between the columns.
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