Description

Villa della Torre is a historical jewel of sixteenth century Italian architecture. The Villa was completed around 1560 and owes its creation to Giulio della Torre, a learned intellectual and humanist involved in significant social, political and religious activities. There are several hypothesis regarding the architectural authorship of the Villa, which even today the locals refer to as “el palasso” (the Palace): contributors to the project include Giulio Romano, the author of Palazzo Te in Mantova during the rule of the Gonzaga dynasty, Michele Sanmicheli, Bartolomeo Ridolfi and the same Giulio Della Torre, whose artistic versatility, taste and refined style were well known and appreciated in the high culture circles of that era.

The unique character of the palace derives from its conception: not merely a country villa built for the agricultural activities of the estate, but also a place designed for peace and tranquillity of body and soul according to the canons of Latin writers so important in the Italian humanist tradition. While the Villa’s artistic curators concur in attributing the layout of Palazzo della Torre to the precepts of Vitruvio and Plinio il Giovane, they also assign a role to biblical themes, in the sense of a structural progression from the bottom (Hell) towards the top (Heaven), a blend of secular and sacred elements consistent with the profile of the Della Torre family, whose members balanced their humanist interests, with strong ties to the Church at times being influential prelates themselves, highly visible in the Verona society of the time.
There are many interesting spaces to visit and explore in the Villa:

the entire structure revolves around the Peristyle, the “heart of the house”, which as in ancient Roman houses (domus antiqua), welcomed a host of elite guests eager to experience the best of humanist leisure activities, such as poetry, music, the reading of classical literature and contemplation of nature.

This was followed by the ecstatic admiration of the four Mascheroni, the incredible, ironic faces adorning the fireplaces of the Villa, all portraying grotesque spirits rich in allegorical meaning and animal references.

The Peschiera (fish tank) is another masterpiece, which resembles an authentic Roman structure in miniature, a reminder of the importance of water at the Villa as a true life giving force, able to satisfy the irrigation needs of the formal gardens, lawns and flower beds, as well as to entertain visitors with its marvelous fountains.

The Cave, another fascinating point of interest, has a ring-like design with an octagonal base, and its external facade is entirely covered with stones shaped like a gigantic, terrifying mask while the walls are decorated with elements from the natural world: snails, shells, pebbles from nearby rivers, quartz fragments and sponges, all still visible today.

Finally, there is the Tempietto (small temple), a charming Renaissance chapel which is attributed to Michele Sanmicheli himself by Vasari. The hand of a great architect would be enough to bestow historical and artistic significance to the structure, but this corner of the Villa, complete with a perfectly preserved bell tower, represents a lofty attempt to reach a harmonious accord between the outer walls and the inner structure, and to give the entire complex an extraordinary, theater-like scenic effect.

Among the vast and flattering bibliographical entries, many consider the writings of Veronica Franco, a Venetian poet and courtesan who probably visited the Villa in the year 1575, to be the most accurate. In her descriptive verses, perhaps a bit emphatic but precise in their truth, the Villa Della Torre appeared worthy of the definition as one of the“palagi che fêr gli antichi imperatori e regi” (palaces built by ancient emperors and kings).

The Owners

Villa Della Torre is owned by Allegrini, one of the most renowned wine producers in Italy and in the world, and a reference point for Amarone. It is located in Fumane, in the heart of the Valpolicella region known for its wines. The historical vineyard Palazzo della Torre surrounds the Villa and embraces it to create a seamless landscape. It is also the name of a wine known all over the world for its depth and complexity, recognized by The Wine Spectator in its Top 100 list for five consecutive years.

The Uses

It is natural to think of those linked with the pleasures of wine and food experiences. Besides being ideally suited for these uses, the Villa, with its beauty and its uniqueness is the perfect setting for art and music festivals, and for conventions and corporate retreats. Weddings and other religious celebrations can be held in the Tempietto of the Villa, still officially consecrated as a church.

Luxury weddings Wine shop with guided tastings and visits Private banquets Managers’ meetings Cooking courses Concerts and performances Art location Fashion shows Sensory workshops

Guided Tour

Guided Tours of Villa della Torre Allegrini should be booked in advance. It could also be accompanied by a tasting of our wines Allegrini (Fumane di Valpolicella), Poggio al Tesoro (Bolgheri) and San Polo (Montalcino).

The Location and Reference Details

Villa della Torre is located in Fumane di Valpolicella, 15 kms from the town of Verona, 16 kms from Lake Garda, 20 kms from Verona Villafranca Airport, 14 kms from the highway exit Verona Nord, 700 metres from Allegrini’s wine cellars.

Conditions of visit or use of the site to be agreed with:

villadellatorre@allegrini.it
Phone: +39 045 6832070
or
ospitalita@allegrini.it
Phone: +39 045 6832060
Fax: +39 045 7701774.