Villa Aurelia, Art Nouveau villa in Lierna, Italy.
Villa Aurelia is a 1921 Art Nouveau villa in the old village of Lierna on Lake Como, built by architect Gino Coppedè with his brother Adolfo. Its rectangular plan faces the lake with towers, terraces and loggias attached to a main block marked by single and blind windows; the street front is dominated by terracotta. Inside are Art Nouveau elements, wrought iron and stained-glass windows.
The building underwent major restoration work between 2004 and 2009, focusing on preserving its early 1900s architectural features. The project was managed by Studio Lavorincorso and protected the original structure and finishes.
The villa is also called Villa Besana after the Milanese family who commissioned it as a summer residence, and Villa Magnoni before that. Its eclectic design mixes Art Nouveau ironwork and stained glass with medieval references drawn from the nearby castle and the old village of Lierna.
The villa is situated on Via Roma in Lierna and functions as a private residence that also hosts events. A botanical garden on the grounds forms part of the property and adds to its appeal.
The villa's park is laid out in the same eclectic style as the house and holds rare tree species along its footpaths, which gives it the character of a botanical garden. Two stone docks open onto the lake below the garden.
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