Villa de Vecchi, affectionately known as ‘Cassa Rossa’ due to its striking red exterior, is a historic residence dating back to the 1800s nestled in Cortenova, not far from the picturesque Lake Como. It was commissioned by Count Felix De Vecchi, a celebrated figure in Italian history who led the Italian National Guard. Count De Vecchi’s pivotal role in the Five Days of Milan, a significant revolution in 1848 that liberated Milan from Austrian rule, earned him widespread acclaim as a patriotic hero.
Despite its grandeur and idyllic setting, the villa has remained unoccupied for many decades, enveloped in mystery and surrounded by various legends. These tales have bestowed upon it nicknames such as the “Ghost Mansion” and “Casa Delle Streghe” (The House of Witches).
Architect Alessandro Sidoli was entrusted with designing and constructing Villa De Vecchi between 1854 and 1857. The villa was intended to serve as Count Felix De Vecchi’s summer retreat. Drawing inspiration from his refined and cosmopolitan tastes, De Vecchi opted for a distinctive blend of Baroque and Classical Eastern architectural styles, resulting in a truly magnificent abode.
The property was outfitted with cutting-edge amenities of its era, including indoor heating pipes, dumbwaiters, and a sizable pressurized fountain. Unfortunately, Alessandro Sidoli never had the chance to witness the completion of the home, as he passed away during its construction.
Legend has it that in 1862, the count returned home to a devastating scene: his wife had been brutally murdered, and his daughter was missing. Despite an exhaustive search for his daughter, the count, already a widower and suffering from liver problems, eventually took his own life in the house. However, this tale has largely been debunked. By the time the count moved into the property, he was a widower and in declining health. He passed away at the age of 46, leaving the property to his brother, Biago.
Biago embarked on extensive renovations of the property, completely removing the Eastern architectural elements, including the dome. Biago and his descendants held onto the property until 1938. Afterward, it sat vacant for roughly the next two decades.
During the 1920s, while still in the De Vecchi family’s possession, another captivating legend emerged. Rumors circulated that Aleister Crowley, the infamous occultist, had spent time there. Followers of Crowley began to visit the property, spreading stories of ritualistic orgies and animal sacrifices. While Crowley did spend time in Italy, notably establishing the Abbey of Thelema in Sicily, there is no confirmed evidence of his presence at Cassa Rossa.
In 1959, after two decades of neglect, the estate was acquired by the Medici of Marignano. However, it appears that no restoration efforts were undertaken. Subsequently, the property changed hands to local entrepreneurs. Sadly, by this point, the property had been stripped of its furnishings and subjected to vandalism.
Today, Villa de Vecchi stands as a haunting reminder of its former glory, untouched since 1938. In recent years, the Italian Environment Fund has spearheaded public awareness campaigns to highlight the villa’s historical significance and advocate for its preservation. Despite the owners’ willingness to donate the property for free, contingent upon its restoration, estimates for the necessary renovations have soared to approximately six million euros.
Adding to the complexity, a recent avalanche wreaked havoc on nearby homes, yet Cassa Rossa remained miraculously unscathed. However, the Superintendency for Cultural Heritage has designated the neighboring mountain as having a medium to high risk of avalanches. This assessment casts doubt on the feasibility of any restoration efforts on the property in the foreseeable future.
Over the years, the property has garnered growing attention for purported paranormal activity, solidifying its reputation as Italy’s most haunted house. Accounts from ghost hunters and visitors to the property recount numerous eerie experiences, such as hearing disembodied female voices and the phantom sounds of a piano playing, despite the instrument being destroyed. Whether one chooses to embrace or dismiss such phenomena ultimately boils down to individual belief and perspective!
