Villa Durazzo-Pallavicini

Villa Durazzo-Pallavicini is a neoclassical residence above terraces, stone stairways, and a historic park in Italy. The neoclassical palace crowns the hill above the designed garden. The park covers nearly nine hectares and follows a theatrical route conceived by Michele Canzio. Canzio arranged the landscape in three acts. At the entrance, the Coffee House carries four statues by Carlo Rubatto beside the triumphal arch. The arch marks the passage from town to woodland. Camellias, fountains, statues, and rare exotic plants shape the first act around cultivated nature. The garden contains one of Italy’s oldest camellia collections. Woodland paths then climb through pines towards a gothic chapel, castle, mausoleum, and heroic tombs. Frescoes and furnishings remain inside the castle. A dark grotto represents the underworld before the route opens onto the large lake and Diana’s temple. The temple stands at the lake’s centre. A Chinese pagoda, Egyptian obelisk, Turkish temple, and oriental-style iron bridge surround the water. An octagonal Casino di Flora multiplies reflections with mirrored surfaces. The palace has housed the Museum of Ligurian Archaeology since 1936, with thirteen rooms of local finds. Those displays include prehistoric burials and the Prince burial from Arene Candide.