Home

A Charming Villa on Italy’s Lake Maggiore

Enjoy the opulence of a marquessate
BY Mihaela Lica-Butler TIMEDecember 22, 2022 PRINT

When Marquess Massimo d’Azeglio built this charming waterfront Art Nouveau pieds dans l’eau villa, he surrounded himself with the beauty of Cannero Riviera. The property affords endless views of Lake Maggiore, the Dolomite Mountains, the private beach and boat dock, and, for a bit of aristocratic splendor, the property’s 1.48 acres of botanical gardens, which feature a lovely landscape with ancient trees, colorful blossoms, and small waterfalls.

Image 4 Even the quaint dining room retains its sensual Art Nouveau details and soothing natural tones. (Courtesy of Sotheby_s International Realty)
The upper level dining room features sensual Art Nouveau details and soothing natural tones. (Courtesy of Italy Sotheby’s International Realty)

The villa was built in 1860 when Massimo d’Azeglio retired there to write his memoirs. In addition to being a nobleman, he was also the prime minister of Sardinia, a novelist, and a painter. The villa retains the artist’s studio he used to create his works. While it’s a single-family home, the villa certainly doesn’t lack for space, with 12,916 square feet of livable space spread over two levels in the form of five bedrooms and six baths.

Image 5 The lush interiors preserve a lot of their intricate Art Nouveau decor, restored original flooring, and antique furnishings_
The lush interiors feature well-preserved intricate Art Nouveau decor, accented by the restored original flooring, and antique furnishings. (Courtesy of Italy Sotheby’s International Realty)

On the first level lies the main living room and its scenic terrace, a dining room, a kitchen, two bedrooms, a bathroom, and the master bedroom with a small balcony. The second floor could function as a separate residence, as it’s equipped with two master bedrooms—one with an en suite bathroom—and its own living room, dining room, and a well-equipped kitchen.

Image 8 The villa_s bedrooms open large windows to take in Lake Maggiore_s picturesque beauty. (Courtesy of Sotheby_s International Realty)
The bedrooms are well-suited to ensuring a relaxing night’s sleep soothed by the ambiance of the beautiful surroundings. (Courtesy of Italy Sotheby’s International Realty)

The third floor climbs to a turret to arrive at a smaller bedroom and a games room. The villa also has a basement with a fireplace, and various recreation rooms with large windows granting beautiful outdoor views. The property’s park overlooks the lake in front of the villa, leading to a lovely private beach with a dock and a mooring pier for a boat. Unobstructed views of the lake can be enjoyed from a small belvedere adjacent to the caretaker’s house, as well as from the villa’s ground-floor conservatory and terrace.

Image 2 Beguiling views of Lake Maggiore seem to stretch forever from the villa_s wide windows. (Courtesy of Sotheby_s International Realty)
The villa’s many expansive windows allow the owners and guests to enjoy relaxing views of Lake Maggiore. (Courtesy of Italy Sotheby’s International Realty)

Nearby Cannero Riviera is a small lakeside community on the shore of Lake Maggiore that is known for its pleasant Mediterranean climate of mild winters and temperate summers.

Image 3 Although built to impress, this is a single-family home. The main house spans four floors, while the caretaker_s house is three stories high.
The villa is a quaint and spacious lakeside masterpiece. (Courtesy of Italy Sotheby’s International Realty)

Cannero Riviera, Italy
$11,458,333
• 5 bedrooms
• 6 full bathrooms
• Additional building with three small flats
Key Features:
• Magnificent lake views
• Large botanical garden
• Private beach with dock and pier

Agents
Italy Sotheby’s International Realty
Isabella Masserini
isabella.masserini@sothebysrealty.com
+39 0322 030 110

Image 6 Carefully restored interiors and priceless antiques add a plus of class to this Cannero Riviera gem. (Courtesy of Sotheby_s International Realty)
The villa’s airy and spacious bedrooms feature large windows to take in Lake Maggiore’s picturesque beauty. (Courtesy of Italy Sotheby’s International Realty)
Image 7 The small terrace overlooking Lake Maggiore is ideal for endless moments of relaxation in nature. (Courtesy of Sotheby_s International Realty)_
This small terrace overlooking Lake Maggiore is the perfect place to relax and take in the surrounding natural beauty. (Courtesy of Italy Sotheby’s International Realty)
Image 9 The ideal family house in a quaint lakefront medieval town, Massimo D_Azeglio_s Contrada Villa, offers spellbinding lake and mountain views. (Courtesy of Sotheby_s International Realty)
Set in a quaint lakefront medieval town, the villa would be a wonderful vacation home, or a magical primary residence. (Courtesy of Italy Sotheby’s International Realty)
You May Also Like