The origins of Villa Orta San Giulio go back to 1879 and it was the dream come true of a wealthy cotton merchant, Cristoforo Benigno, who wanted to bring the charm of Baghdad back to his beloved Lake Orta.
\nIt was originally named after Pia Travelli, like her husband a native of Busto Arsizio (Varese) and was gifted to her as an act of love, this being the reason it was called Villa Pia as we can still read on one of the gateways to the property.<\/p>\n
Angelo Colla (1827-1892) was the architect Orta San Giulio charged with completing the project. He was one of the most sought after and fashionable architects of the times.<\/p>\n
Cristoforo Benigno wanted the architect’s whimsical talents and indeedhe perfectly interpreted his client’s wishes, giving the villa a Middle Eastern setting that was quite unique, with superb stuccoes and arabesque carvings. The result is a masterpiece in the Moorish- Eclectic style which today is as breathtaking to the beholder as it was then.<\/p>\n
This surprising villa has an elegant tower in the style of a minaret and its reputation as a place of charm and magic ensured poets, captains of industry, princesses and King Umberto of Savoia were welcomed there.
\nIn 1999, after careful restoration , Cinzia and Antonino Cannavacciuolo returned it to its former Midde Eastern character, making it into a point of reference for Italian hospitality and a temple to cuisine and fine taste<\/p>\n\n\t\t