Villa Zanelli, Savona
Villa Zanelli is a historic Art Nouveau residence and a remarkable example of Italy’s Liberty-style architecture. Completed in 1907 for the Zanelli family, the villa was designed by Gottardo Gussoni, with possible contributions from Pietro Fenoglio, both renowned architects of the Liberty movement.
Nestled within a large garden by the sea, it is located in the Legino district, close to the Tyrrhenian coastline. The villa’s ornate design, elegant lines, and decorative details make it one of Savona’s most architecturally significant buildings.
Originally built by sea captain Nicolò Zanelli, the villa remained in the Zanelli family until 1933, when it was sold to the municipality of Milan. Over the years, it underwent various transformations, serving as a camping site and an international colony.
During World War II, Villa Zanelli was repurposed as a hospital camp, a role that left a lasting mark-traces of red crosses painted on its exterior walls remain visible today, serving as a reminder of its wartime past.
Nestled within a large garden by the sea, it is located in the Legino district, close to the Tyrrhenian coastline. The villa’s ornate design, elegant lines, and decorative details make it one of Savona’s most architecturally significant buildings.
Originally built by sea captain Nicolò Zanelli, the villa remained in the Zanelli family until 1933, when it was sold to the municipality of Milan. Over the years, it underwent various transformations, serving as a camping site and an international colony.
During World War II, Villa Zanelli was repurposed as a hospital camp, a role that left a lasting mark-traces of red crosses painted on its exterior walls remain visible today, serving as a reminder of its wartime past.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Savona. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The GPSmyCity App
Villa Zanelli on Map
Sight Name: Villa Zanelli
Sight Location: Savona, Italy (See walking tours in Savona)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Savona, Italy (See walking tours in Savona)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Savona, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Savona
Creating your own self-guided walk in Savona is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Savona Introduction Walking Tour
Once upon a time-or more precisely, a very long time ago-Savona sprang to life on the Ligurian coast. From its earliest days as a humble Ligurian tribal settlement, this city quickly found its sea legs, evolving into a Roman port known as Savo Oppidum Alpinum. Maritime trade thrived here, and so did competition with neighboring Genoa. By the Middle Ages, noble families like the Dorias steered... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles