Palazzo Clerici, 18th-century villa in Castelletto, Italy
Palazzo Clerici is a 18th-century villa in Cuggiono with a striking facade featuring 365 windows and 12 balconies. The complex includes two interior courtyards with colonnades, a private chapel, and quarters for household staff, reflecting the spatial arrangement typical of aristocratic residences.
Giorgio II Clerici commissioned architect Gerolamo Quadrio in 1685 to build this residence on the remains of a medieval fortress near Naviglio Grande. The family chose this location deliberately to express their power and wealth through a monumental villa.
The interior walls display frescoes painted by students of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, reflecting the artistic taste of Lombard nobility. These decorations were common among wealthy families of the region who wanted to surround themselves with fine paintings.
Access is through a central entrance that leads to the main areas, with wide staircases and high ceilings making navigation straightforward. It is wise to allow plenty of time to explore the various sections since rooms are spread throughout and many details reward close attention.
An ice house sits at the northeast corner of the park, once used for storing food and reflecting how daily necessities were managed centuries ago. This structure shows how innovative solutions for resource management were embedded even in grand estates.
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