Villa Simonetta

Villa Simonetta in Milan is a historic Renaissance building located at Via Stilicone 36. The original rectangular core of the estate was built in the late 15th century at the behest of Gualtiero Bascapè, chancellor to Ludovico il Moro. After the death of the man who commissioned it, the house changed hands several times before passing in 1547 to Ferrante I Gonzaga, the governor of Milan. He commissioned the architect Domenico Giuntalodi to carry out a comprehensive renovation and expansion, which gave the building its present-day U-shaped floor plan. The villa has belonged to the Simonetta family, who gave it its name, since 1555, and has been regarded ever since as one of the most prestigious buildings in the city.

Architecturally, the villa impresses with its neoclassical façade, which is defined by a nine-arched portico with a barrel vault. The portico is supported by columns with Tuscan half-columns and topped by two tiers of loggias with balustrades, accented by Tuscan and Corinthian columns. The side wings, added in the 16th century, open onto the garden, where symmetrical loggias sit at the ends of the upper floor. The entire building was originally decorated with frescoes depicting the deeds of the Gonzaga family, but only a few fragments survive today.

Over the centuries, the villa has had a checkered history. After a period as a luxurious residence, it served for a time in the 19th century as a cholera hospital, which marked the beginning of its decline. It was later used for various commercial purposes, such as a candle factory, and as a barracks. During World War II, the façade was destroyed by heavy bombing. The city of Milan began restoration work in 1959 to return the building to its original condition. Today the villa is owned by the municipality and houses the Civica Scuola di Musica "Claudio Abbado," so visitors can experience the site in the context of musical education.